4-spd tranny stuck in reverse

[gedmeyer]

I have a problem, my transmission is stuck in reverse on my 4-speed. I just installed a new clutch before dropping in my rebuilt engine 2 weeks ago and today I finally got around to connecting the clutch linkage up. After I finished the linkage adjustment per the shop manual instructions, I got in and clutch travel and engagment seemed fine. I then started shifting through gears 1-4 w/ no problem (I was dreaming about driving it at the same time). Now the problem, I put it into reverse (wasn't smooth going in, but it did go in) and now it won't come out!
I can move the shifter back center, but it won't "pop" out of reverse. Anyone have any ideas? Am I correct in that the clutch doesn't affect this at all b/c the car isn't running? Could the linkages just be bound?

-tim
:confused

 

[cntrhub]

That's right about shifting statically. You don't need the engine to run. But you may need to rock the car fore and aft just to move the rear spline hooked up to the driveshaft. I'd go under the car and physically move the two levers back to neutral and check you shift throw adjustments again.
Or.....if you rather right now, go under the car (with rev stuck) and remove the linkage and see if the arm moves any further? Adjust the linkage to where the lever sits now and see if this is an improvement?

 

[joe1975]

Make sure

Make sure your not in two gears at once Best thing to do is disconnect all the linkages place all tranny levers in netural then Check the bolts that hold the shift levers in the trans. one could be loose and it will jam I had one once the bolt had loosened up and it jamed just like your talking about while I was completeing a clutch job. I don't know if it's actually in two gears but it's not good Good Luck!

 

[Rowdy1]

I Agree

Start from zero. Take the linkage arms off, put all three shifting levers on the trans in neutral and check every bolt, nut etc. Then adjust the linkage one rod at a time and put them back in the right lever, then check it again. I'm not familiar with the reverse lockout on the stock shifter, I've always had Hurst but I'm sure there's a spring in there somewhere no? I do know I used to break the stock shifter plates which is why I went to Hurst. There's a hole in the Hurst that you install a small nylon tool through the line up the shifter and then with the trans in neutral, you adjust the rods accordingly, maybe someone here can verify if the stock shifter has this too. Let us know how you make out.

 

[bossvette]

one of the first things I do is throw out the stock shifter and put in a Hurst, mine was so sloppy when I got it that it was hard to drive. they even make handles that look like stock to fit hursts.

 

[gedmeyer]

I don't think I'll be scraping the shifter. This engine rebuild has been expensive enough. In any case, can I assume that the procedure for this stuff is in the shop manual? I've never done any work on a tranny before. Do I do it from under the car, or do I have to take the console apart? Hopefully there is a simple solution!

 

[joe1975]

adjustment

You adjust shifter (if it's stock) by making a tool out of a piece of metal I forget the dim., but it's in a chilton's man. put in netural slip the piece in then attach rods then make up bolts If I remember right you do it from bottom

 

[gedmeyer]

You guys were right, the shifter/linkages were misaligned. I think pulling the engine out and puting it back it created just enough trama to the linkage that it got stuck in reverse. After several hours of cursing, it's all shifting smooth now (better then I've ever seen it!)

Wow, this job was a major PITA! First, having to make the alignment "tool" was tough. I don't exactly have the materials laying around for that sort of thing, but i managed. DAMN it's tight up around the bottom of the shifter. Oh well... if it were easy, everyone would be doing it!

-tim

 

[Rowdy1]

You Know It

I never worked on a later year but I CAN tell you, there's NO room for anything under the tunnel in the 62. When I was doing the Richmond Gear Super T10 last fall, I had to use heavy duty magnets to get washers and nuts started on a long screwdriver and then tighten them about 1/20th of a turn at a time. Did I mention I had to do this three times?ad

Glad we were able to get you on the right track and you got it straightened out. I now carry some spare shifter parts in a little bag, just in case.