1982 SC 911 help

[moore49]

I recently got a 1982 911 SC 3.0. The car runs and drives great except for one thing. It will not go into 1st gear at a stop. It makes a grinding noise. 2nd it will go into
2nd at a stop and down shift to second rolling. 3rd -5th are fine. Reverse gear is also tough to get into but once in it reverse works great? Internal trans issue or bushing issue? Thanks

[vash]

Does it go into 1st at all?

[tirwin]

There are a range of potential issues that go from relatively easy fix to you-don't-want-to-hear-this.

The relatively easy things that could go wrong are:
1) mis-aligned shift coupler. you have to open up the access panel in the hump in the backseat. follow the alignment procedure to re-align.

2) something is loose - shift coupler or where the shifter connects to the shift rod linkage.

3) worn shifter bushings - there are 3 different ones.

If it's nothing more than one of those things, then it's pretty inexpensive to fix -- you can do it. These topics have been thoroughly covered on this board.

The more expensive problem is that you've lost some of the dog teeth in the synchros of the transmission. Could also have broken teeth on 1st gear (or others). What you could do is drain the transmission oil and see if any metal bits come out.

[arry911]

I think you need to adjust your clutch cable, if its hard to get into first and reverse it could also be the linkage behind the front seats under the floor panel. There are loads of threads on here on this subject. I never try and get into first until I stop and make sure the clutch is fully depressed.

[bpu699]

A bad clutch cable/misadjustment makes it grind into reverse (no synchro). 1st shouldn't grind, due to the synchro...

If you are grinding into reverse, the easiest thing to do is to take off your wood floor board under the pedals, that gives you more range. If depressing the clutch pedal further solves the grinding into reverse, at least you know you need to adjust your clutch...

If it still grinds into first, its probably your synchro ($$$).

If the coupler is off, it seems to grind in multiple gears...

Good luck.

Bo

[Deschodt]

Bushings will give you less play and more precision, but probably not a miracle cure. If it's just 1st gear that absolutely won't go, it's kinda doubtful you will get away with just a shift coupler adjustment (end of the transmission tunnel under an access plate near the back seats).

Generally if it was the coupler misadjusted in travel one way or another (Front/back, side to side), you'd either not grab both gears on the same plane (1+2) or not get all the "front" gears (1+3+5). But for you it's just 1st...

But you do say 2nd isn't fantastic either and reverse is hard to get, so you should try playing with the coupler first: make sure to mark its current position with white paint or something in both directions (F/B, side to side), and adjust it laterally only (for now) one tooth at a time if you can - to give it maybe a pinch more travel to the left at the shifter ? If you now lost 5th you've gone too far. Fingers crossed, but....

Also I'd put in fresh dino oil in there, like Swepco 201.

1st is always a bit difficult on old SCs, but if you can get in 2nd and not 1st at a stop (try engaging second, then go into first) it may be time to have the gearbox rebuilt. and if you do that, also get yourself a sprung shifter gate like Jwest/WEvo/Seine, they make the 915 a pleasure.

[timmy2]

My car will shift into 1st at 30 mph when rolling up to a stop with the clutch depressed. Tranny is in great shape, all shifter bushings and coupler bushings replaced adjusted and with clutch adjusted properly.
I don't normally downshift at that speed, but it will do it when everything is set up right and the tranny isn't worn out.

[77Targa0912]

What are the details on the car? Is it a white 82SC with 964 bumpers? I test drove one for sale that had similar issues before Christmas.

[moore49]

Thanks I will look at the information you have all shared.

[vash]

Nice car.
Adjust clutch and the shifter linkage first. Both of these are free. Good jumping off point.

[moore49]

Finally had time to work on the 911. Changed out bushings in rear coupler, shifter cup,and shifter rod bushing. In have not messed with the shifter cables yet. I had one question. I was able to unhook the rear coupling to the transmission shaft. I was able to get it into first gear and it worked fine. When I hooked it back up I had no other gears. Any more suggestions?

[Guardsred911]

Originally Posted by timmy2

My car will shift into 1st at 30 mph when rolling up to a stop with the clutch depressed. Tranny is in great shape, all shifter bushings and coupler bushings replaced adjusted and with clutch adjusted properly.
I don't normally downshift at that speed, but it will do it when everything is set up right and the tranny isn't worn out.

Clearly, I have some work to do on adjustment!

[82 SC]

My 82 is tough with cold but gets better as it warms up with some driving. I plan on changing fluid first and adjust clutch whenever i get my shop finished.

[SCadaddle]

The 1982 911SC owners manual suggests holding down the clutch for several seconds before attempting to engage reverse gear, so give that one a little time.