How should a 901 tranny in a 70 shift?

[dhopkins]

My 1970 911T has a 901 tranny that I like very much except for first gear. Sometimes it is hard to get it into first and I have to double clutch. There is a notch that
is necessary to get to unlike any other gear. Is this normal? Also should I be able to shift into first without grinding the gears when the car is going about 5 mph?

Don
1970 911T

[Frankr]

1st can be stubborn. I always go to 2nd before trying 1st. Cant rush it and sometimes you just have to redo it--back to 2 and then 1 again. But all other shifts should be very easy and smooth.

[eaton]

I've you've never redone the bushings, you should do that. Takes less than an hour. Made a world of difference in mine, especially in first. The cup bushing at the base of the shifter was completely gone on the left side of mine, making it really hard to find first. I thought that was just how they were. Amazing difference with new bushings. Check the shift coupler bushings while you are at it.

[Jim Breazeale]

My 1970 911T has a 901 tranny that I like very much except for first gear. Sometimes it is hard to get it into first and I have to double clutch. There is a notch that
is necessary to get to unlike any other gear. Is this normal? Also should I be able to shift into first without grinding the gears when the car is going about 5 mph?

Don
1970 911T

First of all, you don't have a "901" transmission. You have a "911" transmission. The main difference is with the clutch. It sounds like your transmission is operating just as it should. There are people that love the 901/911 shift pattern and there are those that don't. If you don't like it, sell the car and buy a 72 or later, or convert it to a 915 transmission.
Personally, I love 901/911 transmissions.

Regards

Jim
71 911T with a 915 transmission.

[fizeus]

+1 for eaton post
Also do a transmission oil change with right oil (kendall or swepco).
I've fixed many problems with a simple oil change.
Also keep in mind that your transmission oil have to reach right operating temperature to properly lubricate gears and sincros.
Change oil, drive for 30 mins and if you don't see any improvements in shifting check or directly replace bushings (use original porsche ones).
If you change them do this on free spare time because if you have never done you need some more time to find the right alignment.

[gled49]

If the trans grinds during normal operation, no double clutch, no into 2nd first, there is either something wrong with the clutch or the gearbox needs a rebuild. Sorry G.Led

[trdking]

Its your bushings and coupler. Rebuild and adjust and you are in heaven. Dog legs are awesome when they get a tune up

[Jon B]

Also should I be able to shift into first without grinding the gears when the car is going about 5 mph?

A shift linkage problem cannot cause a transmission to grind gears. That is usually a synchromesh or clutch release issue.
With the car not moving and engine running at idle, if you cannot engage reverse without grinding, then you have a clutch release issue. Sometimes it might occur only when the clutch is hot.
A driver engaging the clutch too soon during shifts can also be a clutch release issue.
If your clutch is releasing properly, disengaged and you experience grinding during shifts, then you most likely have a synchromesh issue.

You need a qualified person to test drive your car.

Jon B.
Vista, CA

[dhopkins]

So the car should be able to shift without grinding
at a speed of 5 mph ? Now first, the only gear that
grinds sometimes, only shifts cleanly if I am at a complete
stop and if I give it sometime in neutral or double
clutch.

Don
1970 911T

[fizeus]

So the car should be able to shift without grinding
at a speed of 5 mph ?

No,
to engage the 1st gear you have to be absolutely stationary or it will grind!

The correct pattern with a motionless car is:
from neutral position press the clutch pedal fully to the floor
leave the foot from the gas (engine idle between 800 and 1000 RPMS)
wait a second (or two)
enter the 1st gear
accelerate while releasing clutch (I could probably omit this anyway... )
Same story goes for reverse gear!

When downshifting always double-clucth to reduce syncros wearing

Just to end my message: I'll replace gear fluid (most people use SWEPCO 201, Kendall NS-HP, or REDLINE) with great results (quite impossible to say witch one is better but you can read a lot here and on pelicans forum - sometimes the oil battle turns to a religion war - generally SWEPCO is the most used, even if Kendall has good results on street drive and many users say it give good results in shifting capacity specially in cold-climate).
Avoid synthetic oils, prefer dino oils in the 915 transmission.

Then if the oil replacement give no results or poor results replace bushings and coupler.
Not an hard operation but it can require patience.

I’ll bet you will notice the night and dat difference!

Keep in mind you are using a Porsche tranny 46 Years old ... respect it and it will last forever

Hope this help

EDIT: I suggested to change oil fist because this will let you see if there are obvious damages in the transmission (metal pieces on the magnetic oil nut)