Pinto Car Club of America

When I was towing home my 75 hatch, I had to reach in and move the shifter in and out of gear.  It felt like a stick in jello.   My other Pinto was an automatic so I really don't know what it is suppossed to feel like but I really don't think it should feel like that.

So what are the issues and what should I look for?  Before you ask, yes I am going to swap to a t-5 later but for now I need to keep the 4 spd.  Oh and yes I did search but couldn't find what I needed so any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
jim

My 78 Sedan is a 4 speed and if the clutch is in or the car isn't on, moving the shifter into a gear has nearly no friction. You should feel/hear a slight click while the shifter reaches the "locked" gear position though.

I myself have noticed that the 4-speed transmission is a very loose one though.

Hello Jim,
R U trying to say that the shifter was stiff ot sloppy???
From Pintony

I know when I got my current Project Pinto I drove it for about 400 miles (it's a stick) and the Tranny felt a bit weak. There was like no effort to shift the gears runing and when the car wasn't running it was like a video game shifter. I wouldn't woory to much.
When you are driving it does it want to go out of gear?
How does it feel when you sift it on the road?

turbowagonman

Whoa, I just got it home.   ;D  I have to install an exhaust system first along with a battery and some wiring to get it running.  I have had 4spd cars before and the shifter felt at least somewhat firm.  This one feels really sloppy loose but of course I don't know how it will feel with the engine running.  It does seem to engage the gear ok so maybe it is just the way it is but to me it feels loose.

so this was why I was asking.

jim

Yeah. Other than when the car is running, the shifter is pretty loose. Other than that, it stays put and won't pull out of gear at all when you're on the road driving it. I've tried to pull it back and it wouldn't.

Thanks for the info.
jim