Gearbox issues- P1800 1963

[danp1800]

Hi all,

Firstly greatly appreciate all the good people and wise heads that populate this forum.

My trusty 1963 p1800 is deciding to have gearbox problems. Struggles to find reverse and confuses 4th and second and 1st and third. It’s as though everything has shifted to the left. Also pops out of 4th sometimes.

Anyone have any experience with this problem? Concerned to contact Simon at Brookhouse and find there are no reconditioned gearboxes!

Dan

[arcturus]

Have you checked the gear leave is firmly in the box. Have you tried tightening the big nut where the lever enters the box?

[Army]

It also sounds to me like a gear selector problem.

On the whole everything doesn't die within the box in one go (unless there's been an obvious explosion!)

[Ron Kwas]

Dan;

I have to agree with others...Volvo Gearboxes are quite reliable, and those symptoms are of linkage and selector issues (possibly even a sagged, or displaced rear motormount which is allowing selector-lever to strike hole in the tunnel where Shiftlever protrudes, and this causes gear to be deselected).
Check also Clutch throwout Lever action when depressing Pedal...inadequate action due to failing hydraulics will cause shifting difficulties (but not really gear popping out).
Don't forget, an 1800 has the extended/rearward offset Gear selector as part of the Gearbox top cover...Bushings within this assembly which locate the Shiftrod can get worn and allow improper movement...
...except for the Gearselector, all is pretty well hidden under the car...I suggest you remove the Gearshift gaiter and have a look at the action, if all looks normal, next inspections will be under hood then under the vehicle...check Clutch hydraulics (reserviour level!, throwout lever action)...state of rear Motor mount...

Good Hunting!

[Derek UK]

I put a couple of pictures on this thread which might be useful. They are via Photobucket but they did appear when I looked at it.

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...t=53609&page=2

[danp1800]

Thanks for those tips. I'll have a good look at them and the car and see if I can work it out. Will get back to you all.

[danp1800]

The mechanic thought it was the selector rod (when I discussed it on phone). Are they easy enough to replace?

[Triple-S]

The non-overdrive gearbox in my '68 Volvo 164 with a B30 engine is of similar design to that in the 1800, and I had difficult gear selection into 2nd and 4th. I checked and the gear lever was fouling the hole in the tunnel when moving the lever towards oneself, so I got underneath and found the rubber/metal sandwich gearbox mount was almost squeezed away due umpteen years of oil making the rubber like paste.
I swapped mounts (after jacking the 'box up to where it should be, and no more trouble.

P

[grumpydad]

you have a pm