Cool change

hi all … recently I purchased a1972 350/200 hp vette I am working on with my son.. when I put the 4 speed in reverse it will not go into gear I have to hold the shifter and then it will go into gear. Is this just a cable adjustment or something major and expensive. thank you

lowbuck72

Are you saying it goes in but won't stay in reverse? There's no cables, there are shift linkages. The linkages are a set of three rods that are attached to the levers that move the shift forks inside the trans. The rods have threaded ends which make them adjustable. You need to put the car up on jackstands and see what's going on. The lever furthest back is the one that engages reverse. The other two are for 1-2 and 3-4. Check for slop in the linkage. If needed, disconnect the reverse rod and see if you can move the lever into reverse by hand. It's fairly straightforward.

71 Green 454

If you have to put pressure on the shifter to get it to go all the way forward to get into reverse, then check the reverse lockout cable. If it binds up, it will bend at the ends causing resistance. Ask me how I know.

Rescue Rogers

I dont have reverse lock out myself so I an curious. What is the cable attached to on the steering column? What are the parameters to allow the shifter to go into reverse? Sorry to jump in.
I was thinking clutch adjustment until I saw the cable

jaxlt1

If you need a new reverse lockout cable. I have a brand new one for $25.00 shipped.

F22

Not sure when they started putting in the reverse lock out cable, but my '74 has it. Basically, it was an anti-theft feature from GM for these cars with manual transmissions. You had to put it in Reverse to get the key out of the ignition and the feature also locked the shifter in Reverse so that you couldn't put the car in neutral and roll it away. Thus the cable to the steering column.

Jebbysan

I disabled mine by cutting the cable and crimping the metal sheath around it to hold it in the up position......
What a miserable feature........the way that I am, it would frustrate me to no end.........plus it is another thing to work around down there.....

Jebby

Cool change

yes I have to push shifter and hold it

Cool change

ok thank u I will try that

Cool change

ok thanku I will let you know

Cool change

ok thank u

MN-VERT-VET

I agree with F22 it's there so car has to be in reverse to remove key, remove lockout cable and key can be removed in any gear, it also causes friction and binding at times, I removed mine