I have a '79/'80 five speed trans. that I plan on putting in an rx3. the problem is on the bench it will not go into 5th gear. with the tail housing removed I can shift it into 5th no problem, then when I put the tailhousing on no 5th, reverse is there.
There is not very much play in the shifter so I dont belive its a worn rotator cup issue.
Now what I dont know is there another act that needs to take place for this 5th gear thing to happen I.E. tail shaft has to be spinning, Saturn and venus has to line up? I just dont want to install a trans that doesnt work properly.I'm finaly getting ready to install the motor and this is the hang up---MadChad.

 

Well mine is still in the car, but it seems to have no problem going into 5th with just a little click!

 

Use a gasket between the shifter housing and tranny.

 

Jeff you are onto something there, same thing happend to me when i put a SA tranny into an rx4 and tried to use the rx4 shifter, i bet that if you compare the rx3 shifter and the rx7 shifter i bet you will see that they are a little different in the fulcrum length a simple gasket may give you the space needed to make it happen

 

I've cut two gaskets out just to see what will happen. I'll try this out today (friday) after work. Thank you---MadChad.

 

I say just go to the junkyard and grab a SA shifter and hide it inside your pants. There are 3 SA at Upick Upull @ Tuxford/5 Freeway. Its a freebie

I was there yesterday and I scored on a set of TMC blue springs for $5/piece.

 

Cool thanks Wacky.