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Rib Case Trans Problem - 1st Gear

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Tim Hollister

Tim Hollister

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I have an occasional problem with first gear in the Midget I recently picked up. The Midget is a '72 with 1275cc/rib case trans. Sometimes it wants to pop out of first gear on acceleration - that I can live with. What concerns me more though is once in while it'll want to hang up in first gear and I have mess with it a bit before I can get it to neutral. I have not experienced this one before. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Tim
 
Tim,

The popping out of gear under acceleration suggest worn synchronizers, as for the hanging up in first I really don't know - pehaps the selector forks in the gearbox are buggered?

Most of the guys on this forum have way more knowledge in these matter than me so I'm sure somebody will post a solution to your problem.

Good luck
 
Yes, probably worn sychronizers or just maybe, shift forks.
But before you pull it out and apart, remove the shift lever (by removing the three-bolt ring, at the base of the shifter). Clean and lube the ball and socket at the end of the shift lever. Also, there is an exernal detent (remove a bolt and you will see a ball and spring....I forget where this is externally on the trans). Replacing the detent spring might help a bit.
One way or the other, it sounds like you have some internal trans wear. I'd change the trans oil in case there's metal in the oil: this will keep things together a bit longer.
 
Tim, I agree with Nial. But, pull the detent ball before removing the shifter, because the ball may fall out and drop inside. It's really the Anti Rattle Plunger, and there is a cap on the upper left side of the shifter housing , about 3/4", that houses the spring and plunger.
I've got a good tranny here, if you want to swap.
Jeff
 
Thanks guys for the advice. I'll check into those things (the easier ones that don't yet require pulling the engine and trans) and see what I come up with. At least I enjoy tinkering with the LBC's, unlike tinkering with American iron.

Jeff, thanks for the offer but I'll hold off on taking you up on it. I've several transmissions around here and if needed, I should be able to find one without extraneous bits and pieces rattling around inside. Plus I still have the two syncro kits from VB.

Thanks again!!

Tim
 
[ QUOTE ]
I've several transmissions around here and if needed, I should be able to find one without extraneous bits and pieces rattling around inside. Plus I still have the two syncro kits from VB.

[/ QUOTE ]

What was I thinking!!!??? I knew all that. I think I even ordered the synchro kits.
Duh!
Jeff
 
[ QUOTE ]
What was I thinking!!!??? I knew all that. I think I even ordered the synchro kits.
Duh!
Jeff

[/ QUOTE ]

Uh, yep! But that's OK, I won't rub it in! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Tim
 
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