ChesterJLampwick Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 1985 3.2 Carrera Sport, abut 135,000 miles. So we set off to Goodwood this morning for the Revival, full of luggage and £84 worth of E5. We got as far as the first set of lights, as they changed I put her in first and squeezed the throttle, she jumped out of gear with a bang. And the next time I stopped and set off again, and the next. By now I was on my way back home, we transferred everything to our A200D MB (except the fuel) and set off again. I’m guessing that my 915 finally needs a rebuild. When I first got her 11 years ago it was impossible to get first without an almighty graunch unless you were stopped, particularly when the box was cold, even for the guy from the dealer who took me on a test drive, that was at 110k miles. 25k later that’s never a problem any more until today, I don’t know if that’s just my technique improving or the early oil change - until today. Possibly the clutch adjustment may need doing or has contributed but even if it was adjusted bang on I think the box still needs looking at. I can only be thankful that it threw a wobbler near home and not in Sussex. I haven’t the space or facilities to drop the motor myself, and at my age I think my engine wrestling days are over, so I’m looking at a specialist and £££ to do it for me, I’m afraid. I know about Mike Bainbridge but Kendal seems a long way from Manchester to drive without setting off in first, or some sort of car and trailer hire. There are more local specialists such as Ninemeister, my big worry is massive mission creep ending in a massive bill as per my previous body rebuild. I’m guessing that if first is worn to death then other gears may not be far behind, leading to an expensive bout of ‘while you’re in there’… One fun job will be getting some of the brimmed full tank out, a 5l container full at a time and into my VW T2 camper! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northy Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 Sorry to hear about this. It’s frustrating and a bit scary when stuff goes wrong on our old cars, because you know you’re staring down the barrel of a hefty bill! I had my 915 rebuild by Mike. He’s great, and a true expert. His labour is not the expensive bit, it’s the bearings, gears and like you said, the whilst you’re in there costs. I ended up putting an LSD in mine (probably not worth it for a pure road car), his teddy bear retainer (worth it for peace of mind), lightweight clutch (worth it) and flywheel (worth it). Oh and lightweight starter (kinda worth it). Honestly dropping the engine isn’t actually that bad. Doable in a day, with a decent trolley jack and some tall axle stands. I made a simple trolly to put the engine on. Splitting the box from the engine is 4 bolts. Go for it… Alternatively, can you find someone to get the engine and box out at your house (so you don’t have to pay storage whilst the box is away being fixed?). Might save a few quid? Another option is just ship the car. I had my transporter tailored to dartford and it was about £180. Probably only 60-70 miles, but felt good value. You can put it onto a job board and let people bid for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northy Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 I think I used Shiply before. https://www.shiply.com/lp/land/car-transport/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmg Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 If your car is taxed/mot’d and you have breakdown cover with homestart is it not possible to have the car recovered to a specialist of your choice. It is with mine and I’ve made use of it with some of my old bangers over the years. 😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phill Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 Bad news. Having been there and done that I would highly recommend going to Mike. I didn’t and I regret it even now. Get it trailed if you have to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris T Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 Get it on a transporter not a trailer… ask me how I know 😰. Also I have previously been warned off the job board type movers. Lowest bidder may be some lad with a tow hitch on his tatty fiesta and a 2 wheel towing dolly…. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChesterJLampwick Posted September 5 Author Share Posted September 5 I’ve been having a look at my breakdown service’s Ts&Cs, they will take it to a garage of THEIR choice, or mine IF IT IS NEARER. So not Kendal, then. However I’m wondering about driving it there if I chose the right day and time, like 4am Sunday, to set off, as I couldn’t do it in heavy traffic. However I live 2 miles from the M60, and Kendal is next to the M6. As long as I don’t hit stop/start traffic (in which case I’m snookered) what’s the worst that could happen? Burn the clutch out? It’s going in the bin anyway! Today I had to start in second a couple of times to get the car home again, and although I wouldn’t choose to, it was quite painless as the 3.2 has plenty of torque. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strictly Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 Two things. First 25k miles impressive. I feel ya, i once put 10,000 miles on a 915 gearbox that would jump out of third. gear. Needs must at the time! Second thing: Unfortunaly i'm sure I read somewhere that MB retired, but I don't recall where. This is echoed here, in the link below. Hopefully not, as he sure knew alot! However at least there are others. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=2030448 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChesterJLampwick Posted September 5 Author Share Posted September 5 That’s bad news about MB, any suggestions for someone who knows what they are doing in the North West? I’ve heard of specialists around here sending gearboxes to MB, so not them then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northy Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=678438&hilit=915+gearbox#p678438 Another option, get that & refresh it. Then just pay someone to swap them Sorry missed the sold in the title! Ask on ddk - plenty of stashed parts on there. Might also be worth asking Tuthills. They are swapping 915s for g50s in some of their builds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChesterJLampwick Posted September 5 Author Share Posted September 5 Just a thought, I’ve never adjusted my clutch cable, although it still feels solid rather than having any noticeable travel before you feel resistance. I know it’s clutching at straws but could taking some time to set it up right possibly stop the jumping out, if the gear isn’t engaging properly in the first place? It’s got to be worth a try I reckon, even though I think I know that it’s more likely to be worn out parts in the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterK Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 Granching into first maybe lessened with a clutch adjustment (they do wear). Juumping out of gear may be lessened by an adjustment of the shift coupler between the seats at the rear of the cabin . Might not, but doesn’t take long to check, just in case. Just a thought Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmg Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 (edited) 21 hours ago, ChesterJLampwick said: That’s bad news about MB, any suggestions for someone who knows what they are doing in the North West? I’ve heard of specialists around here sending gearboxes to MB, so not them then. Have a word with Mike at www.sportsandclassic.com they are very well versed in gearbox rebuilds and although they do specialise in 996/986/987/997 boxes they also do 915 boxes. They are just outside Knutsford in Cheshire. Edited September 6 by hmg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChesterJLampwick Posted September 6 Author Share Posted September 6 Thanks, I found Sport & Classic last night on the inter web, and had them recommended by my local TIPEC chair who is also a customer of mine. I will however have a go at adjusting the shift coupler and clutch cable if only to make it drivable. I’m now down in Havant for the Goodwood Revival this weekend, sorry that I’m not in Iris, for the first time in years, but glad my weekend isn’t being ruined by a worsening gearbox problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmg Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 (edited) 7 minutes ago, ChesterJLampwick said: Thanks, I found Sport & Classic last night on the inter web, and had them recommended by my local TIPEC chair who is also a customer of mine. I will however have a go at adjusting the shift coupler and clutch cable if only to make it drivable. I’m now down in Havant for the Goodwood Revival this weekend, sorry that I’m not in Iris, for the first time in years, but glad my weekend isn’t being ruined by a worsening gearbox problem. Johnny Holland @ Unit Eleven Porsche near Warrington also knows his way around aircooled cars and 915 gearboxes. I would recommend them both. Edited September 6 by hmg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Miller Posted September 9 Share Posted September 9 Also Give Angus at Greatworth Classics (Banbury Area) a call. They do lots of 915s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike911scrs Posted September 9 Share Posted September 9 HI ChesterJLampwick if the box has jumped out of 1st gear and it will not go back in, will it go in 3rd OK and 5th, if it will, the lever settings are ok and the prob' is in the box, i would say some of the dog teeth have come off 1st gear letting the syncro band expand, stopping 1st gear selection, the issue now is the small parts are in the oil and at the wrong end of the box where the magnet is, up to you driving it with the bits in the oil, but bearings are ££££. do you know if the box has been in bits before you owned it in the 110,000 guestimat of parts; 1x gasket set (1x input shaft nut) 1x pinion nut 1x 1st gear dog teeth 1x 1st gear syncro band 1x 1st/2nd slider 1x 2nd gear syncro band that lot should fix the issue if fitted properly, + any bearings/parts or loose bearings in the diff case on top regards mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChesterJLampwick Posted September 9 Author Share Posted September 9 Thanks for the response Mike, great to hear from you! It does go back into first OK, however, but at the next start from a standstill it jumps out again with a bang, more likely than not. Does this change the diagnosis at all? I have no record of the engine or box ever being apart before, although it did get a new clutch around 100k miles, however you never know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike911scrs Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 Hi Chester "Does this change the diagnosis at all?" no, just to check things, would be worth droping the oil and check the plug for bits, also drop off the selector plate and also check on the plate for parts, have a look in the box with a magnet at the same time, I would think some of the dog teeth are missing from 1st gear and the slider will not fully engage on the dog teeth due to the syncro band is now to large have a look at the nuts on the box, if there are nylock nuts or spring washers onder the nuts, the box has been apart regards mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChesterJLampwick Posted September 10 Author Share Posted September 10 Thanks Mike, at the weekend I’ll give it a good looking at, then see if I can get it taken to S&C or Unit 11, I need to speak to them first and see how they’re fixed. I take your point about driving it to get it fixed and ruining the bearings or the whole box, that has to be dearer than paying for transport. I agree with Chris about the risks of the lowest bidder, all fun and games until they drop the car, and you find that they are only insured to move cheap cars, if at all. Anyone recommended a good professional car mover in the Manchester are? I have ordered a bellows pump from eBay, the tank full of E5 can go in my VW T2 camper - over the years I have syphoned many a gallon of petrol, but I have just had full dental implants fitted and my first set of teeth are temporary acrylic ones - imagine if I melted them! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris T Posted September 11 Share Posted September 11 18 hours ago, ChesterJLampwick said: Anyone recommended a good professional car mover in the Manchester are? Yes I can! Jim at Car Hoods northern in Lymm; 01925 759 800 Former touring car driver and thoroughly nice chap. A couple of months ago he collected me and my car, dropped me at a hotel, stored the car overnight and on to Wayne Schofield's the next day. Recommended. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChesterJLampwick Posted September 12 Author Share Posted September 12 Iris is now booked in with Mike at Sports and Classic, but no free spots until mid November. Goodwood was probably going to be the last big trip this year anyway, it gives me time to save up! I’ll worry about getting her there nearer the time. As usual thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChesterJLampwick Posted September 18 Author Share Posted September 18 I just had a call from Car Hoods, they are going to pick the car up the week before it’s due to be done and drop it off at S &C. The cost seems quite reasonable, and it saves me hiring a trailer, paying a mate fuel costs and trusting or replacing my 30 year old ratchet straps, which probably would have cost me about the same money. @Chris T Thanks very much for the recommendation, I would have never thought of asking a car hood company! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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