Shifting Issue with '65 Ghia

[cvsisinthehouse]

I got my first Ghia last month and finally got a tag for it. I took it out and can't shift from 1st to 2nd. It always goes into 4th gear, every time. I know this because one time I just left it as I was at the top of a big hill and got up to 70mph. I got around it by quickly going into 3rd gear and then going back down to 2nd.

Are the clutch servos bad on this? I guess its time to find a good mechanic.

Thank you for any help.

[Eric&Barb]

There are no servos in a standard manual transaxle, since there are no servomotors.

Would look into the fasteners of the shifter base and shift linkage to make sure they are tight. The coupler at the rear of the shift rod needs to be safety wired to keep the bolts are kept tight. Also if the front bushing inside under the shifter is worn it will make for super sloppy shifting. Lastly how badly worn is the bushing in the very front of the transaxle, inspection of that and the rear coupler would be accessed thru the inspection plate under the rear seat.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[cvsisinthehouse]

Ok, my neighbor is a mechanic, will take a look at this for me. Hopefully just needs some adjusting.

[Era Vulgaris]

It's likely your shifter is out of alignment. Loosen the two 13mm bolts at the base of the shift lever, and move the shifter base left/right/forward/backward - whichever direction allows you to get into all the gears after the bolts are re-tightened. It's a guess and check type thing: loosen the bolts, move shifter base, tighten the bolts, test. Redo until you get all the gears.

If you have slop while in gear, then likely your shift rod bushing and/or shift coupler need replacement.

There's nothing anywhere near as advanced as a clutch servo on these cars! It's literally a steel cable going from the clutch pedal to the clutch arm on the transmission, which moves the throw out bearing. Very low tech, but tons of feel. There's no numbness like cars with servos.

Did you end up buying that blue '65?
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Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD

Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue

[cvsisinthehouse]

Yes, I bought the '65. I will try this, thank you. I suppose I'm in 2nd gear if I can go up, right and down again right? I mean it felt like I was shifting into 2nd while moving, until I started to let my foot off the clutch.