4 and 5 Speed Transmissions

[Newell33]

Hi Guys

I have a question concerning transmissions. My Spider has a 4 speed. It was manufactured in 09 of 1976 if I remember right. This would make the car a 1977 model and it's registered that way. Yet, in the 1977 owner's manual it shows only the 5 speed shift pattern and only talks about the 5 speed. Can someone enlighten me as to why I have the discrepancy?

Thanks for the help!

Josh

[WarbirdAL]

Hi Josh,

hmmm I have a 69 124 with a 4 speed, yet the book says from 69 on they used 5 speeds. So mine is an early 69 probably built in 68 but the manufacturer made it a 69. Is your engine a twin cam? most likely a previous owner put a 4 spd in there, not sure why one would want to do that.

[htchevyii]

Most likely it's been changed to one from a sedan or wagon, I think they used 4 speeds longer than Spiders.

[WarbirdAL]

yeah most likely, I had a 1973 124 sedan it had the old style engine and a 4 speed.

[mdrburchette]

My 68 Spider even had a 5 speed. I believe they all did. Your tranny must be from an early coupe or sedan.

[sptcoupe]

My 1973 sedan has a four speed, hooked up to the 1400 OHV motor (all original), but the spiders and coupes were 5 speeds from mid-1970 on. Just curious - what engine do you have. It should be an 1800.

[Newell33]

The engine appears to be the original 1800. Just curious, where is reverse on the 4 speed? Is it up and to the far right? There is definitely not a gear shift position to the far right and down on this car.

Thanks,
Josh

[sptcoupe]

On our sedan, reverse is away and down. On some cars, you have to pull the gear shift up to get it in gear, but for most, you have to push down.

[Newell33]

Man, I feel like a dummy. I finally got my car running this evening. I had it up on jack stands and ran it through the gears. Then I put it in what I thought was reverse and it was another forward gear, 5th! I kept thinking there's no way that there's a reverse gear down and to the right, it doesn't even begin to go into gear there. Then I decided to look at the owner's manual again and noticed that you have to push the gear shift lever down to get into reverse.....lol.

Well, one problem solved.......Ha!

[narfire]

I can't help myself... My wife had the same problem but she is blonde
Her car R is up to the left.