Dave,
You have just described almost perfectly the technique I have been using to
shift my Sprite for thirty years, to the point where the action is absolutely
automatic and unconscious (insert "unconscious" joke here.) I never try to
shift directly into first. Sitting at a stop in neutral, I depress the clutch,
pull *back* on the gear shift lever until I feel it just "kiss" the second gear
synchro, then forward into first neat as can be. No grind, no graunch, no fuss,
no muss.
Regards,
Jim Algar
Valencia, CA
'69 Sprite Mk. IV
Dave O'Neill wrote:
> Midget & Sprite Club - http://www.mgcars.org.uk/midgetspriteclub
>
> Philip
>
> Sounds like you haven't got a problem, at all.
> The design of the Sprite gearbox is such that it is often difficult to
> engage 1st or reverse, as they are "crash" gears as opposed to constant-mesh
> with synchromesh, and the gears sometimes baulk. If it won't go in, try
> taking your foot off the clutch - thus spinning the laygear - depress the
> clutch again, select 2nd gear and then 1st. Yes it is a bit of a performance
> but that's what you get for buying a car with "character"!
>
> Dave O'Neill
> Solihull, UK.
>
> ----Original Message Follows----
> From: "Philip Gomm" <tedgomm@tedgomm.f9.co.uk>
> To: <midgetspriteclub@listbot.com>
> Subject: Dificult 1st, gear selection.
> Date: Sun, 7 Nov 1999 19:47:57 -0800
>
> Midget & Sprite Club - http://www.mgcars.org.uk/midgetspriteclub
>
> Can anyone please help,
>
> I have just obtained my 1st sprite, 1965 Mk3. I am now having problems
> selecting 1st gear, it's OK when cold, and OK when fully hot, however,
> after the first few miles selecting 1st or reverse gears can be very
> difficult , seems as if the clutch is not fully disengaged.
>
> The clutch seems to disengage OK, could it be the gearbox oil, or be a
> selector problem.
>
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