What repair or replacement options for a 1979 5 speed transmission? Mine is solidly locked into 3rd gear but the clutch is disengaging fine. Actually drove it home through several stops and starts in 3rd.

Calling around shops in Houston, TX and no one so far is willing to touch it.

 

It could be as simple as a stuck arm/lever. I've had to realign them before.

 

That's what we are hoping for. Will be checking in the next day or so. Thanks

 

You can crack the case open a couple of inches without removing the halves completely. It's a bit fiddly but doable.

 

I almost started to say its the pilot bearing but you say the clutch works ok. You will need to drop the tranny and see whats up.

 

If you can't find a closer source, you could try Liberty's Gears in Michigan. They're known for their in-house developed V8 drag racing transmissions, but they also rebuild and modify RX-7 transmissions. I used them to modify my T2 trans for high horsepower, and I used them again to change the 5th gear ratio in my FB to drop revs at modern highway speeds (since you're in TX, I'm sure you can appreciate . . .). It's a large scale operation that thoroughly understands manual transmissions. Shipping will set you back, but their work has been great, and they stand behind it.

 

I had my trans stick in 3rd once. I was able to carefully manipulate it back out while driving.

I think the fault lies in the springs that hold the synchro keys in place? Something about allowing a key to get cockeyed and prevent the slider from moving.

 

I just purchased a #NEW# rebuilt transmission from JO Motorsports in NC for my 1990 FC His work is excellent, he's built Miata and Rx7 racing transmissions for 20 years and he doesn't need your core. Shipped it right to my house on a pallet.
Reach out to Jason he responds VERY QUICKLY. He can offer some options for gear polishing and collar supports too for a bit extra strength.

-Markus
https://www.jomotorsports.com/
jowenby53@yahoo.com

 

I once drove my car for about a year with a similar issue. I figured out that it did not lock in gear until I let off the gas and pushed in the clutch. I learned to "drag" it out of gear without pushing in the clutch, I remember I had to have just a little throttle applied to get it to work the best. As I got better at it I refined the technique by, as it was coming out of the gear i would push in the clutch. I got good enough at it that I procrastinated quite a while before I addressed it. I had rebuilt this transmission and I suspect the problem was caused by my lack of skill in making sure I had the proper end play on some of the gear stacks.

 

We picked up a rebuilt FB 81-85 5 speed and will adapt it. Thanks for all the ideas and feedback.