1986 GT 5th/Reverse Troubles (Page 1/1)
Andrew_AL DEC 18, 06:33 PM
Looking for some experience troubleshooting transmission. I've completed a fairly exhaustive search of the forums and Cave, but nothing quite matches what I'm noticing with the car.

Background: Recently purchased a cosmetically very good 1986 GT 5-speed. Short version is that previous owner was completing a restoration but then passed away. I acquired at a reasonable (to me) price after it had been minimally driven for the past 3 years. Car came with extensive records and transmission appears to have been replaced. Have sorted through a number of issues with help from this forum, despite no prior mechanical experience.

Problem: Gears 1-4 work fine and shift well. I can put into reverse without much issue (and it works), but going from R back to 1-4 is very difficult. From R I can put it into neutral, but then pulling back to the left on the shifter is challenging and requires a few tries with a lot of force. When I try to put into 5th, most of the time it will not even engage the gear; the shifter moves all the way right but then will not push forward into the gear. Also, once I push to the right aiming for 5th the shifter won't move back to 1-4.

What I've tried so far: After searching the forum I purchased a new select cable from Rodney Dickman (nice product, BTW). While removing the old select cable I attempted to run through the gears by manipulating the selector at the transmission housing. Unfortunately I'm getting the same issue. No problem selecting gears 1-4 (pushing selector down from the neutral position), but I cannot pull the rod up. It feels like it is stuck. If I twist and pull then R will engage. But when I take it out of R the selector feels stuck and will not push down back to where 1-4 are. I haven't been able to engage 5th at all at the transmission. Based on this, I am currently working under the hypothesis that the problem is not the select cable. Visual inspection around the selector at the transmission did not identify anything obviously out of place. I've confirmed fluid level with the transmission dipstick. No differences with car running.

Question: Do any other potential issues come to mind that could be causing this problem apart from transmission internals? Have read a number of prior threads that suggest potential internal issues. I want to make sure I've investigated all other possibilities before handing over to a transmission shop. Having some difficulties finding a trustworthy shop in my area (some great quotes from my recent telephone conversations).

Cheers and thanks for the help!

Andrew

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Andrew

Acquired a 1986 GT 5-speed that was "90% finished."

yamaha94 DEC 18, 08:33 PM
Contact the "fiero factory" they are in alabama. They also fall under the name TFF auto.

https://thefierofactory.com/

they know a lot about the car and have tons of used parts cars

[This message has been edited by yamaha94 (edited 12-18-2019).]

FX DEC 19, 02:47 PM
Have you tried adjusting the shift arms at the top of the transmission. If it's not completely coming out of previous gear, it won't go in to the next. Search 'adjust shifter at transmission", or something like that. this happened to me, and adjusting the shift arms fixed it.

[This message has been edited by FX (edited 12-19-2019).]

Andrew_AL DEC 20, 03:20 PM
Thanks guys!

@yamaha94 – I’ve heard lots of good things about them and am planning to reach out for some more advice. I just wish they weren’t 3 hours away!

@FX – I’ll take a look at that and follow-up.

Thanks again for taking the time to weigh in. Much appreciated.

Andrew
yamaha94 DEC 22, 05:19 PM
3 hours might be the trip you may have to travel. If you can trailer the car you are set! Let me know if you see them.
Patrick DEC 22, 05:30 PM

quote
Originally posted by Andrew_AL:

While removing the old select cable I attempted to run through the gears by manipulating the selector at the transmission housing. Unfortunately I'm getting the same issue...

Based on this, I am currently working under the hypothesis that the problem is not the select cable.



Yeah, if you can't put the tranny into all gears by directly manipulating the levers on the transmission, then the issue unfortunately has nothing to do with the cables and/and or shifter.

[EDIT] This is an extreme longshot, but still worthwhile bringing up... just in case. Most 2.8 86's had 4-spd Muncies. The 5-spd Getrags only appeared late in the model run for that year. This is a 5-spd Getrag you have, is it?

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 12-22-2019).]