As long as I've owned my car, (4 years) 1st gear always grinds. It does not grind when I try to place it in gear from a complete stop. It will only grind and not go into gear while *rolling*. No other gears have problems. What could be the problem?

I've been told syncro's, but wouldn't the gear pop out while in motion? I need help ASAP, because I have the Tranny out doing a SBC Stage 1 clutch install and it would be much easier to replace while its out if it does have to do with something inside the tranny.

It could be the synchros or a bad shift cable, but usually the shift cable would be noticable in several gears, like 1st-3rd-5th or 2nd-4th-reverse. Considering your description of the symptoms I would lean more toward a dead synchro. It won't cause the gears to pop out while driving but it is usually very annoying. I drove a car with a dead 1st synchro for 50k and it never got any worse

You could have the trans rebuilt, replaced, or just live with it

Thanks for your reply! Do you think I could just have the shop replace the 1st gear syncro? There is nothing else wrong with the trans besides that. Or do you think it would be worthwile to have aamcro rebuild the whole thing..?

I'd just go get quotes to see what the difference between rebuilding just the #1 synchro and refreshing the whole setup is. I'd bet that it's not that much more to have the whole thing refreshed.

1st gear synchro is bad. when the trans pops out of Gear....your lookign at replacing the actual gears and slider assy.

Out of all the kits i have seen....you will have ot buy an entire synchro kit so you might as well just rebuild the entire trans.

You are not supposed to shift into 1st while rolling. It is not a "drive" gear, but functions only to get you going. This driving habit has lead to this result. Gear fluid plays a roll as well.

There is a guy going by Drakito on neons,org that rebuilds mtx's for around $350, and you pay the shipping. Something to consider.

Originally posted by Purpose
You are not supposed to shift into 1st while rolling. It is not a "drive" gear, but functions only to get you going. This driving habit has lead to this result.

I've downshifted into first while rolling since I bought the car and I've put over 100k on it personally. First shifts fine. I've even dropped it into first on tight corners and hairpins on the racetrack, no grinds. Shifting into first while the car is moving isn't the issue, usually it's ramming the gears and beating the synchros, or shifting from a rolling reverse into first (intentionally broke a tranny doing that)

How can your transmission be fine if it has been grinding 1st gear since you have owned the car? Are you listening to yourself?

As long as I've owned my car, (4 years) 1st gear always grinds. It does not grind when I try to place it in gear from a complete stop. It will only grind and not go into gear while *rolling*. No other gears have problems. What could be the problem?

I've downshifted into first while rolling since I bought the car and I've put over 100k on it personally. First shifts fine. I've even dropped it into first on tight corners and hairpins on the racetrack, no grinds. Shifting into first while the car is moving isn't the issue, usually it's ramming the gears and beating the synchros, or shifting from a rolling reverse into first (intentionally broke a tranny doing that)

Your lack of driving skill is the problem.

Originally posted by Purpose
How can your transmission be fine if it has been grinding 1st gear since you have owned the car? Are you listening to yourself?

As long as I've owned my car, (4 years) 1st gear always grinds. It does not grind when I try to place it in gear from a complete stop. It will only grind and not go into gear while *rolling*. No other gears have problems. What could be the problem?

I've downshifted into first while rolling since I bought the car and I've put over 100k on it personally. First shifts fine. I've even dropped it into first on tight corners and hairpins on the racetrack, no grinds. Shifting into first while the car is moving isn't the issue, usually it's ramming the gears and beating the synchros, or shifting from a rolling reverse into first (intentionally broke a tranny doing that)

Your lack of driving skill is the problem.

Not for nothing Purpose, but you may want to check out quoting skills (or maybe comprehension?)......

Be sure of who you quote.

10-4

Down shifting into 1st gear wen coming to a crawl is normal.

Snychros go bad due to a variety of reasons.

Originally posted by Purpose
How can your transmission be fine if it has been grinding 1st gear since you have owned the car? Are you listening to yourself?

As long as I've owned my car, (4 years) 1st gear always grinds. It does not grind when I try to place it in gear from a complete stop. It will only grind and not go into gear while *rolling*. No other gears have problems. What could be the problem?

I've downshifted into first while rolling since I bought the car and I've put over 100k on it personally. First shifts fine. I've even dropped it into first on tight corners and hairpins on the racetrack, no grinds. Shifting into first while the car is moving isn't the issue, usually it's ramming the gears and beating the synchros, or shifting from a rolling reverse into first (intentionally broke a tranny doing that)

Your lack of driving skill is the problem.

You're an idiot. You prove my point more and more with nearly every post you make.

I am losing my patience here.

The only fluid that is to be used in the NVT 350 is Mopar ATF +4 (or equivalent).

Gear lube eats our synchros. I cannot stress this enough. I have rebuilt enough to prove my point.

Purpose.....if you wish to spread inaccurate info and continue down this road of becoming a individual who cannot be trusted for even a bolt size I would suggest you join another board or refrain from posting.

This info has been proven over the past 20 years and even Mopar/New Venture will support it.

Pardon, but if you are getting emotional, go take a nap.

ATX parts are not the same as MTX parts. They should not use the same fluid. Period. You can do as you will, as most other are doing are the variety of internet web boards. It is wrong. Do not like it? Go blog about it somewhere.

ATF+4 was used in mtx transmissions as a cheap fix to a problem the manufacturer had not solved. It is not "the new hotness" because it is cheaper. It's molecular composition and higher detergent properties suite a atx, not mtx. It's in the title. Take a look. ATF+4. It will never say recommend for mtx NVT-350 because it is not. The parts guys are salesman and say when is needed to sell products. Do not get pissy with me because you are wrong. When you start rebuilding NVT-350 mtx's, maybe you will understand what I am talking about. Maybe.

Hell, there are several members on this board that has spoken against it. Are they making your patience run lean too?

The recommended fluid today is still ATF +4. you apparently have no idea what our stop rings are made lined with. I suggest to tear apart a trans and see. This discussion is over. Contimue to push your luck and spread incorrect info and you will be removed from the site.