Resistance while in gear

[1974Spider]

So i recently bought my first spider. ive been learning alot lately but its alot to take in.
My issue is :
If coasting with clutch in coast fine...as soon as i engage the clutch in any gears the car has a little whine and slows down at a considerable pace as if im braking almost. I dont think this is normal resistance but ive never driven a spider before either. i havent checked the tranny fluid because i dont really know how and am not sure if its safe to change the fluid on such an old vehicle as i heard this can do more harm than good. maybe that was for automatics...BTW its a five speed.

any and all help is appreciated

[TX82FIAT]

Change the transmission oil. Use GL1. The car will desperate more rapidly because of the way it is geared and the high rpm's when compared to a modern car.

[1974Spider]

i will be changing the fluid tomorrow. it goes into all the gears fine without grinding also just seems to resist motion.

[majicwrench]

Hmmm not sure what changing the fluid is gonna do for you. Your description of your issue is not very clear (to me), but changing fluid is not going to change much. Why not just make sure it is full??

[RoyBatty]

What I read from your first post sounds like a normal situation to me.
When you are coasting with the clutch in, and then you release the clutch with a gear selector in anything but neutral, you are going to be slowed down by the engine. until that is you step back into the accelerator.
You haven't driven many manual transmissions I'm guessing.

[fiat218]

It depends what hear u are in too and rpm. I t would coast smooth in a higher gear rather then in first or second, it going to pull it down to it appropriate RPM

[azruss]

If you have never driven a stick in a car like this you may be discovering one of the beauties of these. I use brakes only to get me to a dead stop from 5 mph. I can control the rest of the speed with the proper gear and gas pedal.

[Jimb]

It depends what hear u are in too and rpm. I t would coast smooth in a higher gear rather then in first or second, it going to pull it down to it appropriate RPM

Huh?

[fiat218]

It depends what gear u are in too and rpm. It would coast smooth in a higher gear rather then in first or second, it going to pull it down to it appropriate RPM

Huh?

Same what Russ said

[tartan18]

I prefer to brake to slow down vs downshifting except when I am running through the twisties in the nearby mountains. My theory is that in the long run it is less expensive to replace brake pads and rotors vs rebuilding a worn out transmission. Am I kidding myself?

[JConnerly]

No, but you are missing the fun of going down the gears!

[azruss]

Tartan, you are right. I dont necessarily downshift thru all the gears, but will let the motor take me down as far as possible in 4th or 3rd and brake the rest of the way.