Clutch not finding 2nd and popping out of 3rd
 

Sometimes while shifting I'm finding it extrodinarily difficult to find 2nd gear. I have to slam the clutch back far to get to grab and that is after several tries. I started shifting straight into 3rd but when I drive it sometimes "pops" out. Other than that she runs perfect (100mph in 4th).

What's the deal?

BTW, thanks for all the replies on my fan not kicking in post a few weeks back. It sure was helpful.

1985 Factory Black on Black 944
83,000 original miles
restoration project

I'm thinking synchronizer on 2nd gear, but I don't know on third gear popping out.

Sounds like a weak 2nd gear synchro combined with a dragging clutch that's not letting it disengage fully. Check the travel at the slave cylinder.

80,000 on an 85; could be time for a clutch if it's the original. The rubber center sheds pieces and these will stick between the disk and pressure surfaces. Worn pin at the shift lever. Loose translator linkage on top of the trans. Cracked firewall not letting the clutch master travel it's full stroke.

Syncros; yes if the trans has been hammered by the PO (or his kids). Could try draining the trans and putting some synthetic in it. I've almost 300,000 on the original trans in my 83. A bit of noise in first from the PO (had 50k on it when I bought it). Been running synthetic since I bought it in 1985. Daily driver.

So if it's the synchro how much do you think I'm looking at for repairs? I'm taking it to the only mechanic shop that will work on it in the whole city.

Secondly, if its the clutch is there anything else than can be replaced while the repair/replacement is being done. How much is an acceptable range for a clutch repair/replacement?

I'm not a rich guy so I'm trying to avoid getting ripped to pieces.

Don't know for sure cause I do my work myself, but I would bet somewhere in the $1000 to $1500 range for either the clutch job or the syncro job, not both. Have you thought about doing it yourself? I don't see how anyone could afford to own one of these cars without doing the maintenance there self. For the job you need done you are looking at the repair to cost about a fifth of what the car cost.

For a proper clutch job, $1500 total is a good deal. $500 for parts and about $1,000 in labor (IIRC it's around 16 hours according to the book).

For the cost of re-doing the synchros, you're better off finding a used transaxle that is still good.