Synchro in 1st gear? Options

[Gatornapper]

Please forgive me in advance for asking a stupid question:

Did the new/original 914 tranny have synchro in 1st gear? Got mine with 60k original miles and it did not, nor have I ever driven one that did have a synchro 1st.

But somewhere I read something that said synchro in 1st went out quickly - and then synchro in 2nd would go out.

I have no synchro in 1st, but if it existed originally, that alone wouid be worth my rebuilding the tranny. Maybe Dr. Evil will do another one of his rebuild sessions at Scotty Burnett's?

Synchro in 2nd has a mind of its own. 1st to 2nd - it works 60% of the time fine. 30%, I get a tiny crunch. 10%, I get a bad crunch. Tried everything - nothing I do seems to affect whether it will crunch or not.

Downshifts into 2nd are another thing. 60% of the time, downshifts are perfect. Like a new tranny. 40% of the time, they are a horrible crunch. No idea why. Yes - clutch pressed all the way down.

No problems with any other synchros, tho 3rd, coming from 2nd, takes some additional physical effort to get into gear for some reason.

TIA,

GN

[BeatNavy]

S'Hawk is much more experienced here than most of us, so I defer to his knowledge.

I've done 2 901 rebuilds using Dr. Evil's CD. More specifically, in one case I sent the gear stack to Mike for HIM to redo, while I did everything else. In the other case I replaced everything myself. It's not terribly hard with the right tools. The hardest part is for someone like me with untrained eyes to judge whether a slider or synchro is serviceable or not. I ended up buying just about everything new because of that. It's a good winter project if you don't drive your teener after the brine hits the roads.

In terms of behavior: everything I've always heard about these transaxles is consistent with what Superhawk says. Specifically that Porsche didn't put much thought into 1st gear as it was only for getting off the line and around the paddock. My favorite term for describing 1st gear behavior (coined by a member here) is "bitchy," even when rebuilt. At a stoplight it sometimes will go straight in, other times not, sometimes better when slightly rolling, and sometimes better when going initially into 3rd and then 1st.

Having said all that, I never have a problem with 2nd or the other gears. So again, it may be a good winter project for you or someone else to look into it.

[Gatornapper]

Thanks Rob. Best thing for me would be to go to Dr. Evil's tranny class.

Was at one not far away when he was at Scotty Burnett's place a few years ago.

Not sure I'd want to tackle it myself for the very reasons you list.

Right now my winter project is my 924 Turbo.......maybe next winter........

GN

S'Hawk is much more experienced here than most of us, so I defer to his knowledge.

I've done 2 901 rebuilds using Dr. Evil's CD. More specifically, in one case I sent the gear stack to Mike for HIM to redo, while I did everything else. In the other case I replaced everything myself. It's not terribly hard with the right tools. The hardest part is for someone like me with untrained eyes to judge whether a slider or synchro is serviceable or not. I ended up buying just about everything new because of that. It's a good winter project if you don't drive your teener after the brine hits the roads.

In terms of behavior: everything I've always heard about these transaxles is consistent with what Superhawk says. Specifically that Porsche didn't put much thought into 1st gear as it was only for getting off the line and around the paddock. My favorite term for describing 1st gear behavior (coined by a member here) is "bitchy," even when rebuilt. At a stoplight it sometimes will go straight in, other times not, sometimes better when slightly rolling, and sometimes better when going initially into 3rd and then 1st.

Having said all that, I never have a problem with 2nd or the other gears. So again, it may be a good winter project for you or someone else to look into it.

[DRPHIL914]

i get the habit of sitting in neutral, like you, my dad grew up with air cooled cars, VW's in the 50's and 60's. here is what he did and i think i do as well- and similar to superhawk, as i am rolling to a stop i always slip from 2-1 and its always smooth like butter, then if i think its going to be very short stop i am staying in first and then i am ready and off the the races. if its going to be awhile i will go in neutral, and 99/100 its going to go smooth back into 1st IF i went from 2-1-neutral, if not the sometimes its difficult to get that 1st back in easily. it was that way with my '73 BMW R90S too.

i have rebuilt 2 901's, one a few years back at Scotty B clinic and the other this past winter myself. - did new syncro and dog teeth on#1 and #2 back at the first one, didnt need it this time i was just changing out the #4 and #5. I have never worn out a clutch and i have always had a manual car in the garage. I agree with the others here that while the #1 has syncros i still never go straight into 1 from any gear but 2., and i dont use 1 unless i am sitting still. and its a habit i dont even think about it , its always 2-1 as i am coming to the stop. i am sure you have already flushed the trans and put new gear oil in so if that has not helped its time for that rebuild .

if i were you, just get the dr evil dvd(i have it you can borrow it) and rent the tools i know someone that has them.

Phil

Thanks Rob. Best thing for me would be to go to Dr. Evil's tranny class.

Was at one not far away when he was at Scotty Burnett's place a few years ago.

Not sure I'd want to tackle it myself for the very reasons you list.

Right now my winter project is my 924 Turbo.......maybe next winter........

GN

S'Hawk is much more experienced here than most of us, so I defer to his knowledge.

I've done 2 901 rebuilds using Dr. Evil's CD. More specifically, in one case I sent the gear stack to Mike for HIM to redo, while I did everything else. In the other case I replaced everything myself. It's not terribly hard with the right tools. The hardest part is for someone like me with untrained eyes to judge whether a slider or synchro is serviceable or not. I ended up buying just about everything new because of that. It's a good winter project if you don't drive your teener after the brine hits the roads.

In terms of behavior: everything I've always heard about these transaxles is consistent with what Superhawk says. Specifically that Porsche didn't put much thought into 1st gear as it was only for getting off the line and around the paddock. My favorite term for describing 1st gear behavior (coined by a member here) is "bitchy," even when rebuilt. At a stoplight it sometimes will go straight in, other times not, sometimes better when slightly rolling, and sometimes better when going initially into 3rd and then 1st.

Having said all that, I never have a problem with 2nd or the other gears. So again, it may be a good winter project for you or someone else to look into it.