When I shift...

[HotRod.riguez]

or at least attempt to, sometimes (more and more all the time) it is very hard to get the car into first, and sometimes I even struggle getting it into gear on the road. The shifter feels "sticky" when taking it out of gear and almost always grinds when I put it into reverse. I have about 25% wear on the clutch and I was told to get a new one by the mechanic. Could a new clutch possibly alleviate these issues? Maybe a smaller lighter one as long as I have to?? And as long as I need to get a new clutch, how worth my wile would it be to get an aluminum flywheel to replace the stock one?

[SpectorV]

sounds like the clutch cable is not pulling the clutch out enough (into neutral) or the clutch is nearly toast.

If your petal is VERY close to the floor before you feel tension or just always then chances are your not pulling enough of the cluch cable with the clutch petal so its not in neutral fully. You can fix this with different thing~ might want to start wtih a new clutch cable (unless this one is not high milage) and then a new quadrent/firewall adjuster to ensure you are engaging fully.

[rydog]

Quote: Originally Posted by HotRod.riguez it is very hard to get the car into first, The shifter feels "sticky" when taking it out of gear and almost always grinds when I put it into reverse.

your syncros could be going bad and that's why it is hard to put it in 1st and reverse they use the same syncros I do believe(someone correct me if I am wrong). If the clutch adjustment doesnt work it might be time for a rebuild . How many miles does it have on it?

[Zim]

I agree, it sounds like you just need to adjust the clutch cable. Try pulling up on your clutch pedal and seeing if it will self adjust anymore. If not, get a Firewall adjuster, and aftermarket clutch quadrant as well as an adjustable cable... With all that stuff, you should be good to go. Look for UPR kit, they're affordable and are a quality piece. If you dont want to go aftermarket and prefer ford to fix it, just tell them to check your clutch quadrant and cable because you think it may be warped or stretched.

[MonteCitan]

what trans? t5s/45s I've always had to go into 5th then reverse to keep it from grinding..

[HotRod.riguez]

I already had the engine rebuilt this past summer, and I dont know what the trans is. Its a pretty stock 3.8L V6. Putting it into 5th gear really helped a lot, but why do I have to do this? Why cant I just put it into reverse without all the noise.

What about the clutch and flywheel as I had asked about before?

[MonteCitan]

reverse is not synchronized like the other gears are..