I heard that there is some sort of adjustment in the shifter linkage that can be adjusted and allow me to get it into 1st, 2nd and reverse. Im having trouble getting into those gears, I managed to get it into first by really reefing on the shifter and pushing it into gear, so I know the gears are there, but it feels like its hitting something. Im wondering if it could be a tranny mount that has the whole system out of alignment.

Anyway im confused and hoping for some help.

Thanks,

Adam

Adam;

Sure there is an adjustment at throwout rod at slave, but first you need to check and assure fluid is there to transfer clutch pedal action...so check fluid level, then action at rod of slave as pedal is pushed...also, if it's much easier to get it into gear when engine is OFF (and not turning transmission input shaft), that also suggests no throwout action...

Good Hunting

I have to agree that lack of throwout is a likely culprit.. in looking at his other posts, I see he's dealing with a '73 ES... so, a clutch _cable_ adjustment would be what's needed.

That said.. being a '73, in my experience, that later shifter linkage is more prone to wearing out than the earlier cars... I'm not very familiar with that linkage, but I'm guessing you want to hope that's not the problem.

I would check clutch adjustment first, then motor and transmission mounts.

Adam.. always post the year of your car... As we all know, Volvo made cars that look the same or similar for extremely long model runs, but... the fixins under the sheet metal often did change, and in some cases significantly.

Good luck with it!

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-Matt I ♥ my ♂

Yeah sorry all, i gotta a 1972 p1800es with the four speed + overdrive. I dont think its the throwout bearing because I can shift the gears when the car is running, and when i was able to get the shifter in the first gear gear position, it went into gear without a problem. When I first got the car started I could only get it into 3rd and 4th, and during that time, I was able to massage it into a roll and again could shift gears without a problem. Im gonna check my engine mounts and tranny mount today, perhaps even replace them if I can find them.

Anymore help would be great,

Thanks all,

Adam

Not necessarily the throwout bearing.. just that your clutch isn't fully disengaging...

If you can shift through all the gears once you get going, that is probably the issue. A simple clutch adjustment.

When you are sitting at that red light in 1st with your foot on the clutch, you're probably burning your clutch disc.

Hard to say from here... if you know any decent mechanics, they'd be able to diagnose the problem with a quick drive and run through of the gears... this stuff is pretty universal to all cars with manual transmissions I think, and your ES is about as simple as they get, save for a 122 perhaps...

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-Matt I ♥ my ♂

Hello,

It could be the shifter handle.

If you pulled the shifter recently, you might have installed it incorrectly.

I have also seen the shifter handle plastic ball socket break and this will the handle to go up and it can then disengage the fork of the shifter shaft in the shift cover and then re-seat in the wrong position.

Lastly, the selector plate could have broken. This piece is inside the transmission mounted on the shift cover.

Check the shifter handle problems 1st, if it checks out OK, it is probably the selector plate and you will have to pull the transmission to fix that problem.
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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502

Even if the shifter hasn't been pulled, I've had the screw-on retainer cap for the shifter shaft back out (unscrew) slightly on it's own. It doesn't take much for this to give symptoms of a faulty clutch. Pull the shifter shaft boot and see if that cap needs to be snugged...and while you're at it, particularly if it is loose, remove the cap and lube the insides.