ZF Transmission stopped working

[Jetjock]

While driving to a car show very early this morning, my transmission start acting weird in 6th gear. Downshifted to 5th and it smoothed out. I thought that I would pull off and get something to eat. When I got to the top of the off ramp, I downshifted to first and nothing happened. Went to second and nothing happened. Damn! Then a lot of smoke came out from under the car. No fire, just a lot of smoke which dissipated pretty quickly. Called AAA and got a tow back to the house. While the guy was winching up the car onto the flatbed, I saw a lot of fluid on the ground which could only be the transmission fluid.



I guess the next question is now what. I have a place to take it to but I don't know if they would be crazy about leaving my car on a lift while the transmission is out of the car for repairs. The other idea is to get another ZF transmission and swap it out minimizing the down time. Thoughts on the above? I do live pretty close to Bowling Green. I don't know if anybody has any experience with this type of transmission due to the age. Car only had 48,000 miles on it.



Roy

[tccrab]

Call Bill Budreau, the ZF Doc, explain the symptoms, he will tell you exactly what has happened.
Swapping transmissions will be your quickest fix, and theres a few spare ZF6s around, you just gotta ask the right people. Check with Jerrys Gaskets, Jerry will know more than anyone.
I do have a spare black tag ZF6 in my shed but is got a bad synchros and will need fixing before it goes into a car.

Crabs

[Jetjock]

Well, situation check. Jerry has a transmission there but it's for the later C4 Corvettes. Doesn't have the slip ring on the shifter. The next thing is to take the car to someplace to remove the transmission and park the car until the new transmission is put in. I would love to find someone in BWG that can do that but I would find that very unlikely. I've been trying to find some prices but not coming up with a lot. I looked at Ebay and I just thought no way! I'd rather deal with a reputable person like Bill or Jerry. I was just thinking that the board wants some articles about the work on the cars and this would be a good article for the next issue of the HOTB. I'm not in a super big hurry but I would like to get it done sometime in the next three months.



Roy

[Mikey]

You sure it's the trans and not the clutch?

Hopefully in a few months I will have my shop built so I could help guys out in these situations. Did a lot with buddies in FL before I moved.

[Jetjock]

Originally Posted by Mikey

You sure it's the trans and not the clutch?

Hopefully in a few months I will have my shop built so I could help guys out in these situations. Did a lot with buddies in FL before I moved.

That will help a lot around here. Since VanDorn died, there is not a single shop to handle this kind of problem. Are you in Nashville now?


Roy

[aafc]

Check with Arron Scott @ 229 224 2919 South Georgia Corvette in
Thomasville GA.
John

[Mikey]

Originally Posted by Jetjock

That will help a lot around here. Since VanDorn died, there is not a single shop to handle this kind of problem. Are you in Nashville now?


Roy

Yeah, got here last fall. Just having a hard time getting started on a garage shop, everyone is too busy I guess.

[efnfast]

That was my first thought Roy, clutch, not tranny. Everything I hear, Bill B is the man.

[Corvette95]

Jerrys blue tag will work in your car. Just change the throw - out bearing to the newer type for the blue tag, You will need to order a later style shift boot for the console.

[Jetjock]

FYI, I described the situation to Bill over the phone and he said that it sounded like a catastrophic reverse gear seizure. I've had clutch failure before and this was not it. He currently doesn't have a transmission built up at the moment so I'm going to have start looking around or wait for the second coming.



Roy