915 shifting issue solved!!! for FREE.

[jcsjcs]

All - I AM SO SO SO HAPPY right now.

I have had my 84 911 for about 1 year and the main problem has been with shifting my 915 transmission.

The symptoms:
1) Challenging to get into 1st gear - especially when stopped.
2) A bit crunchy going into 2nd (better when I would wait between shifts.)
3) Recently started popping out of 1st gear on start up on occasion (mainly after coming out of reverse.)

Two shops have worked on the car - mainly for other things - but claimed I would need a transmission rebuild soon.

I change the transmission oil to Swepco.

I also installed a Seine Shift Gate - to make things a bit better. Much less likely to shift from 5th to 2nd and I actually like the gate as it makes me more confident.

The last shop also fixed a minor problem with the clutch - to make things slightly better.

BUT still my main issues persisted and the POPPING out of 1st got worse in the past few days. I started preparing mentally for a rebuild and scoured the forums for advice. Most mentioned the shift coupling as a possibility (but not with much enthusiasm) - while the rebuild seemed to be the main solution. Not something I would take on myself due to time and experience constraints.

So this A.M. I decided to tackle the shift coupling - though one of the shops had already taken a look. 30 minutes later my car shifts perfectly!

The problem was that for 1st gear the shifter was going too far forward and bumping ever so slightly into the rubber surrounding the housing . I was able to easily adjust the coupling and it gave me more room to shift into 1st with a decided notch!

The car shifts beautifully now - very minimal problem getting into 1st. Easier to shift into 2nd. And even reverse seems somehow better now.

While diagnosing, I cut off the boot and plan on leaving it that way for a while. I like the reminder and the race car look.

While I know I should have tried this long ago - I obviously had too much faith in my shops. I think it has something to do with having a personal relationship with your car and taking the extra time to really solve a problem.

Did I say I am SOOOOOOO HAPPY!

I hope this helps others with shifting woes!

jcsjcs

[crustychief]

Great! I recently did the same thing!

[waynesco1]

Our host has a book { 101 Projects } If you dont have it , take a look Real good and easy to follow !

[Gator]

Congratulations! Makes you feel good to get something fixed properly yourself!

[Joe Bob]

Sometimes the head scratcher type problems need to be thought out by the owner instead of a paid wrench. Congrats....

[stevemfr]

Some paid wrenches ought to be flippin' burgers or the like. And I'm not saying this as a disgruntled customer, but as a co-worker.

[jcsjcs]

Just checking back in ---- the car is just fantastic with this problem resolved. Amazing how much the tranny issue was hanging over me for the past 9 months!

Add to that the fact that a lot of my driving is in Brooklyn, NY and I stop and start every minute (or less) for lights.

Can't wait for my impending trip to remote PA for some fun countryside driving!

[Paulporsche]

Great work! Nothing beats a free fix!

[acapella8]

Very happy for you!

Best resource for Seine Shift Gate? Pictures of installs?

[jcsjcs]

I bought the Seine Shift Gate directly from http://www.seinesystems.com/GateShift-1.htm for $150 or so.... There are pics on their site that look a lot cleaner than my setup!

Give them a call if you are interested - as they can also provide a "blue printed" version of the whole shift mechanism ready to install for a $300 or so...

At that point, you might start considering a WEVO shifter which has some additional advantages and is well liked. I chose the Seine because I wanted the gate for the least amount possible. If I had to do it again, I might go for the WEVO (and probably will someday.)

Also be sure you can weld - or know someone who can as you will need to do a simple weld to install properly.