Hello everyone i have a 86 GT that the transmission just went out on and i was hoping to get some help. first of all it came up to a stop sign and sounded like a piece of metal fell and now only goes into 2nd gear. so im not really sure what could be the problem other then maybe i busted somthing inside. so if it is the transmission i am going to put a new one in. should i go with another one of the same or should i upgrade for the future? anything will help. thanks

[This message has been edited by Tank (edited 09-02-2010).]

First thing to do is to watch the transmission cables and levers on the transmission while someone else rows the gears around. Make sure that the levers are actually moving as they should. The cables are held into position on white metal brackets that are porous and sometimes fail which prevent the cables from doing what they should.

It could also be something as simple as some coins that have fallen into the shift stick mechanism in the car. Pull out the ashtrays and remove the four 7mm screws, then unscrew the shifter knob and you'll be able to remove the center console trim panel. Have a good look in there while you row the gears for anything that might be jamming it up.

assuming a manual transmission, not an automatic?

yes - always start with the cables. tho - the description of the sound does make me think broken shift fork or synchro

ya its deff a manual ... and thats what i was thinking (forks)

thanks bloozberry, i never would have thought of somthing as simple as somthing like coins in the way of shifter

If its not the cables, shifter assembly (including things in the way of its operation) then you might as well check to see that the gear on the VSS is still on its shaft. Had one fall off once and work its way into the shift mech internally. Not that it would help you any. Which manual. Is it a 4spd or a 5spd? If its a 5 it could be a munci or a getrag, use this https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/063783.html . If its a getrag they can be more expensive and harder to find. An option would be replacing it with a newer getrag 5 from other gm fwd cars and then using these to make it work, http://rodneydickman.com/ca...th=28&products_id=52 , http://rodneydickman.com/ca...th=28&products_id=58 . If its an Isuzu they are cheap and so are the muncies, you just have to find one.

You can switch from one to the other relatively easily but you will need the shifter assembly, cables, slave cyl, and brackets. You should change clutches but some people have used this one for that one and not had problems for the most part I dont think there is too much of a difference.

[This message has been edited by Dizzixx (edited 09-02-2010).]