Hey guys,

I have a 5spd manual in my car, not sure which, it was put in there before I got it, when it had a 350 dropped in. My question is this, when the car is cold, or even just after it's warmed up, when I first start to drive, the first couple of times I shift it into 2nd it's very stiff, no grinding really, just really stiff. All other gears are nice and smooth. Any ideas? I can crawl under there and figure out which trans it is if someone lets me know what to look for.

 

If you have an 86 and the trans is original to the car, it's a non-WC. When is the last time the fluid level was checked/changed?

JamesC

 

No clue, haven't had it two weeks yet. I know the transmission is not the one it came with, the 305 and trans were ditched by the PO, and a 350 and this 5spd were installed. Never changed the fluid in one of these manuals, is it a pain, or a fairly simple job? I'm assuming there's a drain plug and a fill plug?

 

Yes, to the drain and fill plug. Simple, but a PITA. Purchase a bottle pump and save yourself some aggravation. Check the T-5 sticky for more info on what type of trans you actually have and the type of fluid it might require (that'll be interesting reading )

JamesC

 

Thanks man. This community has been invaluable for me so far, glad I got pointed this direction by a member of another camaro forum I'm on. Do you know if there's a good way to identify which 350 I have, by casting numbers on the block or otherwise? I'm curious to see, since the receipts I saw for work didn't really specify anything, and for all I know, it could really be a 305 I suppose.

 

Switching to synthetic makes a huge difference when the temps drop.

 

The casting number is found behind the head on the driver's side. Run the number through the following site:

http://www.mortec.com/castnum.htm

JamesC

 

Yeah, I was planning on swapping all my fluids to synthetics, did the engine oil, trans and rear diff were next on my list. I have a few cars, so I'm planning a bulk purchase of some of the fluids. Got 2 Jeeps, a Dart, Dodge Truck, and teh Camaro. Want them all running all synthetics.

 

Awesome, thanks, will check it out when I go out to start it and warm it up after work, it's been cold here, but thankfully not snowing, so I can still drive it.

 

Mobil 1 throughout in my IROC.

JamesC

 

I've got valvoline full synthetic in it for oil right now. I wont run non-synthetic oils in my cars anymore, no reason to abuse them like that.