901 tranny- someone stole 1st and reverse synchro!!

[twin plugged targa]

About 40-50 miles ago my 1st gear snapped under load as some may remember.
Mainshaft was replaced on the 901 gearbox by my local wrench. Car ran fine after this.

I went to move the car after washing it and could not select 1st without an awfull crunch, reverse was the same.
All other gears select okay.
I can select the gear from engine not started and then slip the clutch and it slips/runs fine. Clutch works as it should with all other gears and so think it is not the clutch.

Seems like 1st and reverse synchros have suddenly 'gone'.
They worked perfectly prior to this?
Car had been sitting unused for a couple of weeks (sin)
Maybe she hates me since the 930 has been recieving so much attention of late

Any ideas?
Could it be related to my recent 1st gear/mainshaft failure and subsiquent rebuild?
Any ideas to arm me with before it goes back to the wrench?

Thanks
Ben

[Winter]

I'm sure you have already checked your shift linkage and bushings. . .but I thought I'd throw it out there anyhow. . . might be worth doing an adjustment just to see if the problem still persists.

Hopefully some of the true experts will chime in . .

Good Luck!

[Grady Clay]

Ben,

This sounds like clutch adjustment issue.
Perhaps something is seating or failing after the input shaft repair.
Whatever, don’t try shifting into a synchronized gear until we solve this.
The potential damage is VERY expensive.

With the transmission in neutral and the clutch fully depressed, start the engine.
Carefully attempt to shift into reverse gear.
Does it ‘clash’ preventing you from going into reverse?

With the transmission in reverse and the clutch fully depressed, parking brake ON full (or tires blocked), will the engine crank and start without trying to move the car backward?

What is the position of the clutch pedal?
Is it closer than normal to the floorboard?

These are all tests for a clutch not releasing.

Best,
Grady

[twin plugged targa]

Hi Grady - was hoping you might be able to help

"With the transmission in neutral and the clutch fully depressed, start the engine.
Carefully attempt to shift into reverse gear.
Does it ‘clash’ preventing you from going into reverse?"

Yes it does clash and not want to go into gear

"With the transmission in reverse and the clutch fully depressed, parking brake ON full (or tires blocked), will the engine crank and start without trying to move the car backward?"

Yes car will start without moving car and when you release the clutch (engine running) clutch will slip and appropriately and car moves away as normal - same for 1st gear, then other gears act as normal

Clutch pedal is in normal position and has normal 'feel' to it with same weight, etc

So clutch seems to work once into either 1st or reverse, it is just enterring the gear is impossible with engine running without major 'crunch' - not even trying that again!

[twin plugged targa]

Just spoke to my French wrench, who reckons it may just be clutch adjustment as you said Grady!
- Is this very easy or should I let him do it? - just worried in case it is something more serious and I damage things, esp. after tranny rebuild.
Thanks
Ben

[Grady Clay]

Ben,

Don’t drive it.
Every shift without the clutch fully releasing damages the syncro and the ‘clash’ damages engagement dogs and sliding sleeve.
Those are expensive parts and were recently new.

If you can put it in 2nd gear and then start the engine and drive to your destination all in 2nd gear, it is possible.
This is hard on things like your replacement input shaft.


Best,
Grady.

[twin plugged targa]

Ok Grady, thanks for the advice.
Have juts had to move the car into the garage and felt the car move just slightly with car in gear and handbrake off and clutch fulled engaged. As soon as I let out the clutch in the slightest, the car starts to move. So I am hoping the clutch just needs adjusting
What if I double clutch once driving, 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 2nd - is this okay or a no no!
I have about 25mins drive at 30-40mph
(I have been practicing double clutching as my 3rd synchro is on its way out on the 930)
Cheers
Ben