[AlfaEmitter]

I've just completed a 2,000 mile tour in the Midwest (Minneapolis to Lexington and back: MN, IA, WI, IL, IN, KY, OH, IN, MI, car ferry to WI, MN) over the last 10 days. Had a great time at the AROC Convention and an even greater time driving the Alfa with the top down in broiling heat. Funny, I never noticed the heat so long as I was going 60+ mph. Mechanically, everything went smoothly, with two exceptions. The first was a bit of hesitation when accelerating from a stop (this I attributed to < 10% ethanol in premium gas, something that isn't an issue in MN or WI, where non-oxygenated (ethanol-free) premium is available). Once I was back in WI/MN, fresh 0% ethanol gas largely eliminated this problem. Still, the Webers and/or ignition circuit may need tweaking.

The second problem became an issue the last two days of the trip. I had a difficult time putting the Alfa in reverse gear. No problem going from 1st to 5th (other than an occasional 'nick or notch' in shifting gears, particularly when cold), and the clutch seems to be in fine working order (minor squeak when engaging the pedal). No gear oil leaks. The Spirax HD 80W90 was changed 6,000 mi ago, so that's on the next maintenance list. There is also a 'buzz-rattle' from the shifter, particularly in 3rd and 5th, less so in 4th gear. If I grasp and hold the shifter, the buzzing is reduced. My shift knob rotates freely on the shaft. Sometimes if I rotate the shift knob a few degrees, the buzzing is reduced a bit.

The difficulty in shifting to reverse is quite pronounced, even when proceeded by touching the other 5 gears. The springy 'down and over' action when shifting to reverse is not as it should be.

I suspect that the reverse lockout mechanism is the source of the problem. Has anyone had a similar problem, and is it a common one? What's the most likely remedy? Is obtaining any necessary parts going to be a problem? Any other ideas? I'd appreciate any feedback from those of you who may have dealt with this issue. Thanks.

 

[Tifosi]

The lockout is best moved around/actuated by coming from the direction of 4th gear, not 5th.

ie: kinda go like touching 4th, then loop it up and over the hump between 4th and reverse.

 

[Dickson]

Try tightening up your shifter knob. Seriously, mine buzzed like a bee when the set screws loosened up over time...

 

[misterjagman]

Hello
New the The Alfa community, so I enjoy reading others experiences. Couple of things if you can clarify for me. I have a 1986 Spider Veloce and have a similar issue with reverse grinding, the previous owner just installed a re-manufactured transmission 3000 miles ago is there anything I should be looking at? Also my shifter knob rattles but I can't get it off, ie there a trick to it?
Thanks
Stephen
1965 Triumph Spitfire
1986 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

 

[head gasket]

I had a similar problem when I bought my spider years ago and it was indeed the "the reverse lockout mechanism". (The manual calls it the "ratchet gear".) You can check it by removing the console top, both rubber bellows and the metal discs that the gear selector rod goes through. With that cleared away you will be able to see if the ratchet gear is interfering with the reverse engagement. Mine was bent and it prevented reverse from being engaged all the way.

 

[Vintre]

Try tightening up your shifter knob. Seriously, mine buzzed like a bee when the set screws loosened up over time...

Sorry, can't help with your problem getting into reverse, but that shifter knob will buzz like crazy if not tightened down.

Tightened mine down over and over again until I used blue loctite on the 3 set screws and no more buzz!

Good luck,

Vin

 

[misterjagman]

I have tried to remove the shifter knob but haven't been able to, is there a trick, I have tried pulling hard but it won't come off, any suggestions

 

[Vintre]

I have tried to remove the shifter knob but haven't been able to, is there a trick, I have tried pulling hard but it won't come off, any suggestions

If it's like mine you will need to screw off the collar at the bottom of the shifter knob.

Under that, you will find 3 set screws. Back them out and off it comes.

Good luck.

Vin

 

[Tifosi]

Stock knob just jams on IIRC.
The aftermarket ones are the type with collar and set screws.

 

[misterjagman]

Thanks, knowing I had an aftermarket handle was the missing link, everyone was suggesting I pull when I really had to turn.

 

[AlfaEmitter]

reverse shift problem resolved

There is a simple solution (if not a simple fix) to my difficulty in shifting into reverse. The upper part of the shaft (w/ knob attached) is sort of a sleeve that fits over the portion of the shaft that goes down into the shift tower. There's a notch in the upper shaft that should align with a pin that protrudes from the lower portion of the shaft, right where the two sections come together. If the notch and pin are not aligned, the entire shaft cannot be pushed down (spring actuated?) to get past the reverse lockout, hence the difficulty in shifting into reverse.

The problem with my shifter is that the upper portion of the shifter can rotate freely, to the point where the notch and pin were no longer aligned. All I have to do is make certain that they are in alignment before pushing down and shifting into reverse.

So I found a solution to the problem, but not a fix. A fix would involve reassembling the whole shifting mechanism, perhaps even replacing some bits and pieces that need replacing (provided they can be obtained and/or fabricated). This is a job beyond my capabilities, so I'll just cope by checking the notch/pin alignment on the shifter before going into reverse gear.

 

[Q.V.]

Found a thread about the old shifter; maybe that's exactly your problem:

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/gt-1965-1974/159614-need-help-fixing-my-shift-lever.html