Yet another problem...

[lordxenu]

This is the first time I'm legitimately scared that something serious is going wrong with my spider, and I think it may have passed the point of no return.

Engine's great, car runs fine.

The problem now is 2nd gear unless I'm in a certain rpm range will grind like crazy, requiring me to jam it into place in order for it to shift into it.

1st is fine, 2nd will get physically stuck and grind as it slots in, once it's in gear the grinding stops, 3rd is fine, 4th is fine, and 5th is great.

Is my 2nd gear synchro wearing out? I really don't know if I can afford to have the transmission rebuilt. Would a fluid change help it out? I haven't changed the fluid personally, but the PO did before I bought it and I've only put about 5k on the car since then (August of '09). He used some GL1 from Napa, so its not like it has the wrong fluid in it, and there's no visible signs of leakage under the car.

[So Cal Mark]

changing the fluid won't help your 2nd gear issue, and jamming it into gear won't do it much good either. Each time the gear clashes you're grinding metal away that is mixing with the oil and contaminating the rest of the rotating parts. If you can't afford the repairs, I'd suggest you start looking for a used tranny

[lordxenu]

changing the fluid won't help your 2nd gear issue, and jamming it into gear won't do it much good either. Each time the gear clashes you're grinding metal away that is mixing with the oil and contaminating the rest of the rotating parts. If you can't afford the repairs, I'd suggest you start looking for a used tranny

Yeah that's what I'm thinking; I mean it's only been doing it for like...maybe a day?

So it hasn't been an ongoing issue or anything.

So I guess the syncro ring for 2nd is going out? I mean what exactly causes that, worn out gears or worn out syncros?

Haha, I just got it back on the road after the master cylinder shit out on me, and now I'm having transmission problems. Guess I get to park it for another couple of weeks until I can get time to look at it and price out a repair.

[narfire]

Where abouts are you? There were several cars being parted out. Granted a used tranny might not be the best, but it could save you a ton of loot.

[lordxenu]

Where abouts are you? There were several cars being parted out. Granted a used tranny might not be the best, but it could save you a ton of loot.

I'm in SC, in the upstate.

I imagine I can't just buy synchros and slip them in, it's never that easy is it :p

[narfire]

I believe those parts are available at the vendors. Yes,I'd think its possible to swap them out, speaking for myself,I don't know if I have the skillset or perhaps confidence to muck with the tranny. I believe spider jim just did his tranny, perhaps if he reads this he'll chime in on the degree of difficulty. I have a spare tranny or two here but I'm about 2500 miles away.
Chris

[TX82FIAT]

Yep, I would look for a used tranny from a reliable source. I think the going rate for a transmission rebuild from a reputable Fiat vendor is about $1,200 to $1,300 clams. If you do opt to spend some money consider a used 131 trans from a reputable source. I have read many posts about them being bullet proof. Some small modifications are required to the shifter location and the drive shaft.

[lordxenu]

I believe those parts are available at the vendors. Yes,I'd think its possible to swap them out, speaking for myself,I don't know if I have the skillset or perhaps confidence to muck with the tranny. I believe spider jim just did his tranny, perhaps if he reads this he'll chime in on the degree of difficulty. I have a spare tranny or two here but I'm about 2500 miles away.
Chris

I'm actually contemplating asking my dad to help me out on a remanufactured Vick Auto trans. He's got em for $1250 with a $250 core charge, so it comes out to ~1k before shipping and all that.

Not a bad price to make the problems go away, I dunno how I or my dad feels about rebuilding the transmission (it's coming, I just know it. I'd hate to swap out a 2nd gear synchro and have 3rd go out a month later or something stupid.)

I've read about the 131 thing, but I don't have the time to cut away the transmission tunnel and rearrange my center console honestly. I mean the transmission has gone 67k without a single shift issue, so I guess it was bound to happen eventually :p

[RoyBatty]

In my recent experiences, used serviceable transmission + reliable source + good price= John Erskine
He can be found on these forums.
I got a good 5 speed from him for my '75 shipped across the country for less than $300 !!!
Installed it and it works GREAT. Once again, THANK YOU JOHN!

[mdrburchette]

John is a great source! I've got his email address. PM me if you want it.

[lordxenu]

Good stuff. So far my options are:

Replace syncros and random bits (~$50-$150, and a whole buttload of time)

Buy a new one ($3000, not really an option but it's still there)

Buy a remanufactured one ($1200)

Buy a used one ($300-$500) <-- This seems like the best idea right now

Anyway, you guys have given me a lot of nice options, and I appreciate it.

Now I'll get back to driving without 2nd gear for a month or so until I can scrape some money up to fix this thing. What did I get myself into?

[maytag]

Lordxenu:
Glad you're staying upbeat about this.

Add one more option to your list. I might not get much support from this group on this, but i think you should DRIVE IT!

Here's the deal: you can't undo the damage / wear that has been done, but you can stop it from progressing (or at least slow the progression) and get a lot of serviceable miles out of it still.

I would recommend two things: a fluid change and flush to get as many metal tailings out of it as possible, and then learn to double-clutch. If you're unsure what that means, (i don't know ya... and don't want to offend) it's simply matching the revs of the motor to whatever they WILL be once they're in-gear, BEFORE you put it in gear. This is particularly important (and admittedly more difficult) on a down-shift. Understanding ow this works, you'll chuckle to know that I had an '89 Mustang with the T5 trans that the cltch NEVER worked right on. So I drove without it... for all but starting from a dead-stop. (the things we do when we can't afford any other solution )

This is not the 1st italian car that's had 2nd gear synchros go missing. The Italians invented the double-clutch... it's how a rev-happy motor like ours should be driven anyway!

Frankly, you could get a season out of it that way, and find you really enjoy it, and then replace that trans with a good used unit during the cold months to come. my current project has had the same issue since I acquired it 2 years ago, and I've driven it like that, with the intention of replacing the trans when I replace the motor (a different thread explains why that is on hold for yet one more year... )

just an idea. If you need some lessons, search youtube, I bet you can find some tutorials. try this one :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j-3xIZK-Bk

[Dales78]

I don't believe in bleeding until I'm sure I've been cut... you may want to check your clutch adjustment - a dragging clutch could certainly cause shifting troubles. Just something to consider.

[majicwrench]

Maytag is right, just driving it is certainly an option. But don't bother changing fluid, metal gonna come right back anyway. And if yoiu are gonna drive it, over time everything is gonna wear, so rebuilding it get less appealing.
LOTS of used trannys around, heck I have three of em, not positive about their quality however.

[Exit98]

Double clutching may enable you to use 2nd. gear. It depends on the damage. If its just 2nd gear snycro maybe so.

The other option is to just skip 2nd gear. Its a pain and not ideal but it's workable and since you are going to replace the trans why not. You'll have to run up 1st. gear higher, and use third for the street corner turns.