trans issues, help, fwd no 1st Options

[smrtkd69]

ok, long story short, i did the clutch on my fwd, at same time i did slave cyl. i decided to swap in my mystery trans i had sitting at the shop. come to find out to no avail the bastard will not shift into 1st gear, at all, no matter what i do to linkages, so i drove ne ways because other gears felt useable. and they are, they're all perfect, that is except for first. one step (lol 4 steps forward two steps back from my old trans) when i push in clutch and move into 1st it feels fine. then i go to release clutch and it will shoot it back out. if i try to hold it in gear it just grinds like mad (whoops should've known better) . what is someones educated opinion. my other trans was pretty bad, but at least i had a 1st gear. i dont have $ for a rebuild or else i would have done it already. ne body wanna trade me two half good trans (that can probably be combined into a one good one) plus cash for one good turbo fwd trans. i dunno, or does ne one just have one for sale that drives well, or parts car with one intact, im willing to go ne route, just something affordable. o and btw, i have all sorts of stock and some aftermarket parts if someone would trade. just ask. i dunno im rambling because im very upset because i start a new job on monday and i thought i was doing myself good.

[JMoushon]

I would say that the mystery trans is from a different year, and that the shift cable mounts, although they look the same, are not.

Or first gear is shot.

Make sure everything is installed properly before you start looking fo ra new trans.

[AWD DSM 1]

I have a 90 FWD trans that's problably in better shape than yours if that helps. Asking $200 or will trade for equal value of other stuff.

[KOU In3]

With the car off, try to put it in gear manually used the tranny mounted levers with the shifter cables detached.

If you can get first that way then it is a linkage issue.

[smrtkd69]

thx guys, awd dsm ill pm if i need the trans, im gonna try what kou said and if its not in the linkage ill do the pivot ball washer fix along with my homemade slavecylinder rod on my old trans, if its still real bad than ill be shopping for a new one or possibly a road trip down to peoria and have the guys at slopny do me up a new 1st gear.

[smrtkd69]

UPDATE!!!! YESSSSS!!!! it was the linkage. it was actually the (1-2) , (3-4), (5-R) arm on the trans. it was about 3/4 inch too long. so i "customized it" (drilled a hole and used a bolt and nuts and washer to attach) the thing shifts like a dream. i am ecstatic. o an btw ne body thinking about washer pivot ball and ext. slave cylinder rod for the cheap (free if you make your own rod) price it is sooo worth it.

[turbohcar]

How did you end up making your own rod?

BTW, congrats on getting the car going, it's always a great feeling.

[KOU In3]

Sounds like you have a '91 tranny in a '90 car or vice versa.

The linkage arms on the tranny were changed in '91. Making sure your shifter, cables, and tranny are all from the same year (1990 or '91+) can also fix things too if you want to avoid 'customizing'.

Congrats on getting her running and driving right.

[smrtkd69]

made the rod from a grade 8 bolt, just shaved the head off with couple pairs of vice grips and a pipe cutting saw. then had my buddy play with it on the sanding disc until he had it rounded off on both sides and about 3/4 " longer than stock and as far as the tranny's yes kou is right i have a 90 and was putting in the 91 trans. my bolt fix was a lot easier and required less parts to gather than a complete 91 changeover but i am considering a change when i do all metal bushings and the short shifter.