I have a 97 F3 that will not stay in second gear. If I shift from 1st to 2nd, second slips out of gear almost right away on light throttle, and if I try to upshift to 3rd or 4th at this point, they sometimes also slip out of gear or I have problems finding a gear at all. If I shift 1st to 3rd, then the 3rd and higher gears act fine. I'm wondering if this might be shifter cam issue or maybe the shifter drum. Anyone experienced something similar to this? Any response will be appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

Could be a number of things, but they all require teardowns of the engine. 1) Gear dogs are rounded out allowing them to slip out of gear (gear dogs are the "tabs" of the individual gears on the transmission shaft that interlock with each other to create the gear ratios of 1,2,3,4,5,and 6th gears). 2) Your shift forks are worn or bent which will keep the gear from engaging fully (which after a while will also round of the gear dogs) 3) Your shift drum's grooves are damaged which has the same effect as no. 2. Whichever the case may be, you're looking at a nice afternoon up to your elbows in engine oil and transmission parts. Sounds like heaven.