1976 911s shifting issues

[anc]

my 1976 911s targa w/ 103k miles, has just started having a shifting problem. with the engine off, it shifts thru the gears fine, once i drive it, i can't get it out of 1st. if i start the car in 2nd it shifts into 3rd, 4th, ok, but is notchy and grinding going back into 2nd. i changed the bushings in the shifter, the rod bushing and the coupler, also changed the manual transmission fluids. anyone have any ideas before i bring it to someone?
thank you

[75 911s]

Re check the coupler. That thing is touchy.

[Matt Monson]

What did you use for oil?

[anc]

GL 5 and i've tried re adjusting the coupler many many times, any suggestion on how to i'm open to suggestions

[Targalid]

Adjust the clutch cable. It sounds like the clutch may not be disengaging completely.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by anc

GL 5 and i've tried re adjusting the coupler many many times, any suggestion on how to i'm open to suggestions

There are dozens of GL5 oils in the world and they are not all created equal. In fact, many GL5 oils will shift very poorly because they were formulated for a rear end and not a transaxle. Which exact oil matters...

[emcon5]

Originally Posted by Targalid

Adjust the clutch cable. It sounds like the clutch may not be disengaging completely.

This.

[anc]

which GL5 do you recommend?

[anc]

should i adjust the cable or install a new one?

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by anc

which GL5 do you recommend?

It doesn’t matter what I recommend. What matters is if you put a poorly shifting oil in there. I’m trying to help you. By ruling out the oil we can move on to other things. I’m being systematic about this and not just tossing darts and seeing what sticks. So, for the third and final time, what did you put in there???

[anc]

i put in a cheap walmart brand using it as a flush for the system, it hadn't been changed in 6 years. the car was sitting for nearly 4 years.

[Targalid]

anc,
I had the same issues as you and by adjusting the clutch cable everything shifted fine after. I would start with adjustment of the cable. There should not be any need to replace it. It just takes a few minutes. You should end with about an inch of clutch freeplay at the pedal. Also Matt is right about the oil. Many people on this forum like Kendall which is sold by Pelican.

[anc]

excellent, thank you! i'll adjust the cable after work today!!

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by anc

i put in a cheap walmart brand using it as a flush for the system, it hadn't been changed in 6 years. the car was sitting for nearly 4 years.

Walmart Supertech brand comes from the same Exxon-Mobil refinery as Mobil1 products. I have used it in many cars.

If it was the synthetic, it is too slippery for the old synchros. If it was their conventional oil (red bottle IIRC) it would be fine in a 915, even though everyone here is always saying Swepco or Kendall.

I am going to agree that the clutch cable/adjustment should be your next thing to attack. The age of your oil doesn't concern me. The downshift to 2nd issue may be worn synchros, which can be lived with for sometime if you get it adjusted properly.

If the cable doesn't greatly improve or resolve the issues, change the oil and then go from there.

[anc]

darn, that didn't do it. same exact issue the clutch just engages higher

[anc]

any other ideas?

[Matt Monson]

I think your shifting parts are shagged on a couple gears. I would guess the clutch was bad for a while and caused what’s worn inside. There’s a rebuild in your future I suspect.

[anc]

thanx for the help, any recommendations? my mechanics are in ct and the car and i are now in thousand oaks cali

[mrrolleyes]

You changed the coupler?

You will need to readjust the shifter at the coupler. A tiny adjustment goes a long way.

[anc]

i spent hours adjusting and re adjusting the coupler. the car shifts fine when not in motion, engine running or not. if you have a definitive way to adjust the coupler and you think that's the issue, let me know your method and i'll gladly try it again