Hi. Just got my first cossie. Its a 89 rwd saph. The last owner was 57 and had owned it for 7 years. It seams to have been well looked after with every service recorded form new amounting to over 20, and i have receipts coming out of my backside ,although it has been stood for the last 5 months. However, when going up through the gears all is fine(not quite as sweet as the 20 month old fiesta ive just sold but still easy enough) but when i come back down through the gears it wont go into 3rd from 4th or 5th. Instead i have to go into 2nd then back upto 3rd which is a tad annoying when trying to show up my mate in his civic type R. Any ideas.Could it just need an oil change or is it probably more than just that? cheers

 

Needs a rebuld i'm afraid matey, check the oil and change it and it may become better but it'll only be a matter of time untill it has to come out

 

any idea how much that is likely to cost?

 

Cost of a rebuild will depend on where its done and what they charge but i doubt if you'll see much change from £600,also, when the gearbox is off you're as well replacing the old clutch with a new one so that will add to how much it will cost you. Hope you were able to negotiate some of this money back when you were agreeing on a price for the car

 

I'll get a price for you on monday, can also supply a clutch if need be

 

Mine does this sometimes, more when its warm, and mine is badly due for a rebuild which i am in the process of finding funds for. So yes i'd get it rebuilt.

 

how hard is rebuilding a box. Im no great mechanic but i dont mind getting my hands dirty and i am quite a logical thinker. How long would it take. I think mabe i should buy a haynes :blonde:

 

Unfortunately Haynes books dont cover cosworths so they're of no use to you , you need the original ford workshop manuals vol 1 and 2, these cover everything you will need to know .

 

Let me put it this way. My local mechanic who absolutly rocks said that he doesn't rebuild gearboxes because he doesn't have the necessary tools. This guys a full on professional who i would trust with my cossie any day, so for him to say that means it ain't a straight forward job to overhaul a gearbox.

I deffinitly know that you need a decent press.

 

Sometimes regular mechanics (even good ones) don't rebuild gearboxes and heads etc just because it is easier and quicker to get the punter to pay for new or exchange. My mate is shit hot, but he will only rebuild boxes and heads for really good mates / customers - just a fact of life I guess.