I just picked up an '86 GL-10 wagon, 5sp turbo MPFI, 120K mi. I have noticed the same thing. Based on my experience with a spectrum of 5sp. cars, from brand new to 120K mi. and small to large displacement, my assessment is that if you feel this in anything above 1st gear, you're looking at a new clutch in the near future. This is kind of hard to accept for me, because I have a meticulous set of repair records that tells me the clutch has less than 40K miles on it. That being said, I have never had a fuel-injected 4cyl this old so I would like to be told that I'm wrong.
I read a description once of why this is acceptable at low revs in 1st - it had something to do with the fact that miniscule changes in throttle position are translated into perceptible jerking motions because of the narrow(?) gear ratio.
Ben
mcbain455
