Sprite Gearbox Help

[Florentinepogen]

Hello. I’m considering purchasing a 1966 Sprite. The seller tells me at cruising speed, and always in 4th gear, it is common for the gear to jump into neutral. She says it can be prevented by keeping her hand gently on the shifter. Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

This will get moved to the Sprite forum, but holding a car in gear with the shifter is a bad idea. The shift forks will wear prematurely and, conceivably, break.

 

[Editor_Reid]

It is not normal. It is a fault. Consider buying a different car from a different seller.

 

[Florentinepogen]

It is not normal. It is a fault. Consider buying a different car from a different seller.

Thanks. This is what I needed to hear.

 

[John Turney]

Hello. I’m considering purchasing a 1966 Sprite. The seller tells me at cruising speed, and always in 4th gear, it is common for the gear to jump into neutral. She says it can be prevented by keeping her hand gently on the shifter. Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.

The transmission will require rebuilding.

 

[Pat MM]

It depends on what you want, but a rebuilt transmission is easily over $1000 so the car would need to be pretty cheap…

 

[mezy]

normally caused by worn indent balls on the selector shaft