carl
True Classic
I have played with Fiats since 1967 when I bought a new 850 coupe, my first car. Except for a brief hiatus of about 25 years when I veered over to motorcycles, I have been at the deep end in Fiats and even though I knew everything and learned more everyday I thought I had the knowledge thing down pretty good. Now, maybe not so much.
I know my five speed shifts great but for the last month or so fifth and reverse have started distancing themselves from me. I worked hard at making sure the shift rod was not hitting anywhere in the tunnel but the problem persisted and today the gearbox was starting to feel like a can of marbles. I went to get gas after lunch to prep for my Fiata club drive and pretty much gave up on reverse and fifth. But as I was driving home it hit me that there is another critical adjustment, where the lollipop bolts to the shift shaft on the trans. A little bit of looseness there can result in a LOT of slack at the shifter. Checked when I got home and sure enough there was lateral movement of the lolliop in regard to the shifter input. I usually tighten that bolt till there is barely rotational movement but no movement of the lollipop in regard to the shift input.
I should have known you make sure both issues need to be checked, I used to know this. Shouldn't be an Aha moment. I joked to my wife that I have to start making diagnostic flow charts for my Fiat...maybe not so much a joke. Climbing into your 70s sucks. You are still able to do things to your Fiat but your brain starts slipping gears.
I know my five speed shifts great but for the last month or so fifth and reverse have started distancing themselves from me. I worked hard at making sure the shift rod was not hitting anywhere in the tunnel but the problem persisted and today the gearbox was starting to feel like a can of marbles. I went to get gas after lunch to prep for my Fiata club drive and pretty much gave up on reverse and fifth. But as I was driving home it hit me that there is another critical adjustment, where the lollipop bolts to the shift shaft on the trans. A little bit of looseness there can result in a LOT of slack at the shifter. Checked when I got home and sure enough there was lateral movement of the lolliop in regard to the shifter input. I usually tighten that bolt till there is barely rotational movement but no movement of the lollipop in regard to the shift input.
I should have known you make sure both issues need to be checked, I used to know this. Shouldn't be an Aha moment. I joked to my wife that I have to start making diagnostic flow charts for my Fiat...maybe not so much a joke. Climbing into your 70s sucks. You are still able to do things to your Fiat but your brain starts slipping gears.