Technical Gearbox issue

[Freda70]

I have a classic 1970 500 which just wont engage 1st gear when stationary and although she upshifts okay the downshifts From 4th to any gear are impossible without crunching the gears, does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[bugsymike]

I have a classic 1970 500 which just wont engage 1st gear when stationary and although she upshifts okay the downshifts From 4th to any gear are impossible without crunching the gears, does anyone have any suggestions?

If you can engage all gears easily with engine off, then it would indicate a clutch not disengaging fully issue.
Check the gearbox oil level also, if oil is low it will grate the gears, also if oil is low and has leaked onto clutch that can account for not going into first from stationary.
Another thing, is not to park on steep hill so oil can run from gearbox into clutch over a period of time. Overfilling oil level can also do that.

 

[Freda70]

Thanks for your help, I’ll have a look.

 

[the hobbler]

Thanks for your help, I’ll have a look.

Do you have a standard "dog-box" gearbox, or have you fitted a'126' gearbox to your car? The filler/level plug is on the o/s of the gearbox, just by the bell-housing (but in the gearbox casing). If this has never been off before as they are a 'taper' thread, they can be b#### tight. One way around that problem is to use a 1/2inch drive short extension BACKWARDS (i.e. the 'female' end on the gearbox plug) and a matching socket on the 'male'end that fits onto your ratchet or bar. The easy way to re-fill the gearbox (and 'full' is when the oil starts coming back out of the 'plug-hole') is to get a length of hose that will fit into the fill/level plug hole and long enough that you can take it up into the engine bay. Put a funnel into the hose and slowly fill the gear-box. You will have to jack-up the rear of the car to do this job---raise it as high as you can AND PUT IT ONTO STANDS-----NEVER, repeat, NEVER work under a jack, no matter how small the job is.
As well as being difficult to engage 1st gear (which should really only be done when the car is stationary) how difficult is it to engage 3rd gear? Gear selection CAN be adjusted---1+3----2+4+reverse. Lastly, what is the condition of the gear-change "lollipop" that goes between the gearbox selector-rod and the gear-lever selector-shaft?

 

[Freda70]

Thats really useful, thank you for your help.

 

[the hobbler]

Thats really useful, thank you for your help.

Living at Whitchurch, are you aware that there will be a "Cars 'n Caffiene" at "The old Piggery"cafe, Combermere this Sunday (18th)? I am hoping to have my "Abarth 695" replica there.

 

[Freda70]

Oh no ill have a look at that thanks for letting me know

 

[troger]

The first question I have is which gearbox is fitted? As @the hobbler already asked: standard “dog-box” gearbox, or have you fitted a'126' gearbox
If standard, then it is not synchronized. It must be driven with blipping the throttle.