Update and Tranny question

[AaronM]

OK, first of all a big thanks to everyone who offered advice on what to do after my '76 spit out a spark plug. Turns out that the PO had not threaded the plugs in tightly enough (the washer wasn't even crushed) which allowed the threads to corrode. So one heli-coil later things are great again. With the engine at least. When I bought the car (only 300 miles ago) I knew that it had at least mild tranny trouble, as first gear behaved as though it was unsynchronised. I figured that I would just drive it like first was never synchronised since I really would never need to use first other than to take off from a dead stop. Unfortunately, after I changed the tranny fluid (the PO had ATF in there) second began to grind when downshifting from third. As far as I can tell this means my summer project is to pull the tranny and rebuild the dang thing. I want to cure the problem, not mask it as apparantly the PO did by putting ATF in the tranny. How much trouble do you think a complete novice like myself would have rebuilding the tranny? What should I watch out for? I figure that for completeness I should replace all synchro rings and all dog teeth including reverse. As long as I have it all apart anyway I may as well renew everything I possibly can. Thanks all.

EDIT: I know reverse has no synchro, when I said "including reverse" I meant including the dog-teeth for reverse.

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Shifting is an art. Learn it, love it, live it.

[This message has been edited by AaronM (edited 10-11-2001).]

[DSPTurtle]

Good Luck...
I volunteered to rebuild a friend's Alfa Romeo Tranny. I had never done this before but found a good picture in a parts catalog to follow. All I can say is BAG and TAG everything. And I mean everything, nuts bolts, washers and anything else. There are some tricky things like getting the shift detents located but it can be done!!! I plan on giving the 901 a go here in the near future. Don't get too over zealous in buying parts before you crack her open. You are likely to get in there and see that a lot of the dog teeth are okay as well as the sliders. Get it open then look at what you have to replace. Hopefully you shop is better equipped than mine and you have a Hydraulic Press. The whole hammer thing is just not very pretty!!! Good luck and if you need any moral support I would be happy to help.
PS Take as many pictures as you can afford!!! This is easier with a digital camera plus you won't get funny looks from the guy at Walgreens who develops your pics.

[Bleyseng]

First of all, I hope you put Swepco oil in your tranny. It does make a difference, if not switch it. (Pelican sells it) Then check to make sure the clutch and shift linkage is adjusted properly before ripping the tranny out for new syncro's. Also, don't try to "speed shift" a 901, shift slowly to allow it to match up the gears.
Last of all, there is a good article here on PP that tells you all you need to know to fix the syncro's. It not all that hard other than take the gears to a shop to have the dog teeth pressed on and off.
I would try everything else before ripping the tranny out. I have done it and it not my favorite job to do.
Good Luck
Geoff

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76 914 2.0L

[Jim Smolka]

A quick note, be sure to have a 30mm deep well socket to remove the speedo drive gear.

Also, count the # of old gaskets around the middle bracket. There should be one or two. Install the same # back.

I rebuilt a couple of 901s just by using the Haynes Manual.

[AaronM]

<>

HA! I just imagined someone trying to "speed shift" on a 901 tranny, funniest thought I've had today. No, I have no intention of ever "speed shifting" my 'teener. I have actually been amazed at how well the car shifts, as long as you are slow and smooth when shifting it's almost as though the tranny pulls itself into the next gear.

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Shifting is an art. Learn it, love it, live it.

[914GOD]

You mention shifting is an art....I agree!

Try double clutching the second gear downshift. I haver shifted the worst 914 tranny in the world flawlessly like that. Come to think of it, double clutch all your downshifts, eliminates the need for those annoying tranny rebuilds.

Also, Swepco...do it!

Sean

[jabb]

before rebuilding the tranny I would try all the external stuff first. New Firewall bushing... New shift rod buschings and adjust the linkage per the Hyanes manual.

Once all that is done I would look at doing the tranny.

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• Joe A.
• 84 911 Targa
• 75 914/6 3.0

[Va914]

Hope this isn't a really dumb Question BUT, is there any kind of Tranny fluid flush i should use/add before adding Swepco fluid? Do I need to slosh something around to clean the inside of the tranny?
I am rebuilding the engine now and the tranny is just sitting there on the floor with God knows what in it.

Thanks

[Jim Smolka]

To flush the system, simply drain the old stuff and put regular gear oil into the tranny. Run the car for 50 miles or so. Then, drain the transalxe and add the good stuff (Swepco from Pelican)

[Joe Bob]

used 901 transmissions are a cheap out here in CA. UPS can get one out to you.

A tail shifter can be converted very quickly to a side shifter using the exterior parts....

Try www.all914.com they have tons of transmissions for a good price. LOTS cheaper than rebuilding.

When I part out a car, I get around $300 for a trans.

[john walker's workshop]

you need to get into it. they're the easiest trans known to man. the gear cluster can be pulled right out the rear, after removing the muffler and end cover, and popping in the top shift rod with a screwdriver. the whole trans doesn't need to come out. don't think for a minute that different gear oil will fix what you described.

[This message has been edited by john walker's workshop (edited 10-16-2001).]

[jabez]

I totally agreed with what you said John. I needed to re-seal my transmission. Start to finish, including a lot of cleanup on the case-5 hours. I have rebuilt Ford toploader 4 speeds and 3 speeds and the 901 has to be the easiest I've ever seen especially compared to the Blue Ovals.