911 transmission question

mustangdave · 10-23-2007, 04:03 PM

hey guys new around here but i've got a question

I'm working on a 78 911 with a 3.2 motor in it, 5 spd.
The car had a problem with the little bushing thing on the shift rod going through the floor, so I changed it.
Ever since I got the car the clutch felt stiff, but didnt think anything of it.
So I'm driving along one day and I go to push the clutch in and it feels spongy, not normal, so I am a little concerned.
I stop at a light and push the clutch in but it wont go into gear anymore, so I manage to get it into gear, And turn around to head home.
So I go to shift into second, and theres nothing there, the shifter can do circles in my hand, like its disconnected from the trans and the clutch is shot now by this time.
So I manage to get it into second, and make it all the way home, as it sits now I have no clutch, I think the cable snapped aswell and I cannot get the car out of second gear.
I ordered a new clutch and cable for the car, and I'm getting ready to pull the motor and trans out, any tips on taking it out that I should be aware of?
And what do you think happened to the trans?
I would like to open it up and see WTF is going on in there.
Any things I should look out for?
I havent worked on this car alot before but willing to learn and If I get in over my head I will take it to someone that knows, But thats a last resort, I want to fix this thing myself.
Any advice or info would be helpful
Thanks in advance
Dave

Rot 911 · 10-23-2007, 05:12 PM

Could be a multitude of things, but first I would check to see if the clutch cable is broken or at the very least has a bunch of broken strands. I would not pull the motor just yet. There is nothing to indicate the clutch plate is shot.

mustangdave · 10-23-2007, 05:16 PM

the clutch cable is deff broken, the pedal is stuck to the floor.
I may try replacing the cable first before the clutch but it has to come out anyway to fix the trans. problem.
I have a new one already so might aswell while I'm in there

rcecale · rcecale's Garage

Dave,

First of all, welcome to the BBS. If you haven't seen it already, you'll soon find that collectively, this site is undoubtedly the most knowledgable resource on pretty much anything, not just the 911. (Check out the OT board when you have some time to kill. I must warn you though, you'll never get those hours of your life back again!

)

Anyway, what Kurt says is spot on. Look to the cable first, from end to end, and determine whether that is your culprit or not. If you're interested in the inner workings, and the how to's of working on your transmission, allow me to point you to this thread where some of the Pelican experts walked me, step by step, through the rebuilding of my own transmission. It's a great source of information for someone itching to get inside one.

Cheers!

Randy

9dreizig · 10-23-2007, 05:33 PM

I"d check the coupling first, your transmission might still be fine.. Pull out the engine as a last resort ( cause while you're in there ......)

tonythetarga · 10-23-2007, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9dreizig

I"d check the coupling first, your transmission might still be fine.. Pull out the engine as a last resort ( cause while you're in there ......)

+1 and after you do the cable replacement. BTW, the coupler is located on the hump on the floor in the back seat floor area. You may have to lift back the carpet center section. You'll see a panle with 4 screws holding it in place. Open that up to see the shift coupler. Do a search for shift coupler adjustment and go to it.
I suspect the coupler is loose as even with a bad clutch, you should be able to select a gear with the car shut off.