Hi Jeff
Sounds to me like the reverse selector isn't engaged properly, possibly
preventing the reverse idler from going clear so when you select first the
end of the idler is catching, if this is the case I would recommend
immediate action, if you were to select first as you approached a junction
you would run the risk of severe damage to the innards of your box!
Graham.
----- Original Message -----
From: Jeff McNeal <jmcneal@ohms.com>
To: Spitfire List <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2000 2:21 AM
Subject: Exhileration revisited/ Help request
>
> Hello all. I had "Mrs. Jones" off the jackstands for the first time today
> since my wheel fell off -- and after completing the installation of new
> carpet to go with the new seats. It was about 60 degrees outside and
sunny.
> Not content to take a mere test drive around the block, I decided to wheel
> over to the DMV and get this thing registered and pick up my "1967 MK3"
> personalized plates. I have the paperwork, but the DMV won't give me the
> registration until they see the car.
>
> Well, the DMV was closed, and it's a good thing anyway, because I have
what
> I believe is a small problem. I can't get the car to accelerate in first
> gear.
>
> Here's the deal: When I purchased the car, the PO told me that he'd put
in
> a Mk2 gearbox along the way. It's in great shape and shifted very nice,
but
> he had juryrigged a toggle switch on the dash for the back-up lights --
> until another list member GENEROUSLY offered to swap me a Mk3 gearbox top
in
> an even trade. Wow! That was too great of a deal to pass up. I swapped
> the top and had trouble getting it back on, so in order to get past a
> problem with the reverse lever getting in the way, I shifted the top
(only)
> into reverse, lined up the forks (or so I thought) and reassembled. The
> STRANGE thing is, every other gear works fine. And it SEEMS like I can
> shift into first gear. It feels right. Only, when I lift off the clutch,
> the car seems to be "locked" in gear and if I continued to lift the clutch
> pedal, I'm sure the engine would stall.
>
> I don't think that there is any damage being done, but obviously, I
dropped
> the ball somewhere. Can anyone tell me what's happening and how I can
> remove and replace the top properly so it doesn't happen again? I was
> pretty surprised, because I THOUGHT I'd gotten it right.
>
> The good news is, the engine was running great, the Monza exhaust was loud
> and I was a nervous wreck, keeping in mind all the work I've done on this
> car without knowing what in the hell I'm doing, ha ha. It was a strange
> feeling. Alternately tense, alternately in heaven. And for a few brief
> flashes, the feeling of pride that I felt when driving the same year and
> model of car when I was 16-18 years old. What a rush.
>
> And the wheels stayed on. So far...
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Jeff in San Diego
>
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