weird question
 

my car started driving really weird lately. when i step on the gas and begin to accelerate the car almost feels like its rolling over a log, the shifter moves back and forth and the car moves up and slams down, to the point that im worried it will crack the backglass. This happens mostly in first and second and can somewhat be controlled if i ride the clutch and accelerate slowly but that takes all the fun out of it. If i had enough money and it wasnt the end of summer id go get it fixed. Im just wondering if anyone knows whats going on with my car. its a 76 by the way

Engine/Tranny mounts?

Your rubber motor mounts are busted. They can be replaced with the engine in the car - not fun - but it can be done (I've done it three times).

Have fun!

ditto...motor mounts

Yup again... motor mounts. I'd heard how tough they were to replace but I had no problem. Just follow the tech article here on the PELICAN site. Good luck
bruce

All I can say is "Air Ratchet". It makes it a lot easier. I have done it a few times.

I agree with everyone else--motor mounts. What is happening is your engine is actualy 'moving' when you shift gears. It is not real safe to continue driving with them broken because your engine may fall out if the mounts complely break! (dont know that for sure--just wanted to scare ya) (did it work?)
Get the mounts fixed at your earliest convience.

It won't actually fall out--the brackets on the case sit on top of the motor mount bar. But it's still not a good thing at all!

The toughest part is getting to the nuts on the top side of the rubber mounts. I found that a stubby 1/4" drive ratchet worked. I think I also removed the oil filter so I could get my arm into the area where the top of the mounts are by way of the oil filter area.

--DD

1. Yes, most likely motor mounts. Swap 'em like everyone else says.

2. I had very similar if not the same symptoms. Swapped out motor & tranny mounts & the problem persisted. Dropped the engine & found that the flywheel was worn so low that the flywheel mounting bolts were rubbing/shearing/pounding against the clutch disk when letting the clutch out until the surfaces mated. Replaced the flywheel, clutch disk & pressure plate & the issue was finally resolved.

Well the flywheel is not as easy to fix as motor mounts. I use a 1/4 in drive air ratchet to remove and replace the bolts on the top of the motor mounts and it works great. You dont have to try to find room to move the ratchet back and forth.

Ooooo Oooooo, I know this one....... Damn, too late. ;)

Sammy... good Horshack impersonation:D
bruce

HAH - beat ya to it Sammy:D

Air Rachet, what the hell is an air rachet, sounds like one of them new fangled toys I heard of.

It's "Arnold S's" type fingers is what gets the job done (and boy are they sore later).

Also helps to have a lift too!

Speaking of Arnold...I think I've named the new car:

The Govenator

Oh, and you can check the motor mounts. Put the car up in the air (securely!!) and then lift up the motor with your floor jack. Use a piece of wood as a pad.

If the motor moves more than a tiny amount, the mounts are busted. You can easily lift the motor several inches with busted motor mounts.

Note that all of this is talking about the late side-shift motor mount setup, the early setup is rather different.

--DD