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I took out my C3 (78/4-speed) for a cruise this morning and it was driving fine. As I was taking off from a stop sign, I noticed that the trans was stuck in the first gear and it would not budge.
I have had trouble shifting into reverse in the past, but this is new.
I had to drive back home in the first geat and park the car with the gear engaged.
Chevy had a problem with this the rods get hooked together we used to get under the car and pull the rods apart and it would be ok for A while .It was an Impala 63 I think not sure if its the smae thing but good luck.
yup, my linkage binds all the time too. replaceing the old shifter with a hurst comp/plus + linkage this spring.
when mine binds, i can normaly still manage to get it back into reverse. i then back the car up a couple of feet and try it again, and its normaly unstuck then.
when it really binds up though and i cant move it at all, i just grab ahold of hte shifter with both hands and give it everything ive got. may take a couple mins of really pushing and pulling on it, but its always poped free so far.
hopefully once i have the new shifter/linkage installed, ill never have to deal with this crap again.
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by Duke94
Yep, linkage adjustment. Been there, done that.
You probhably need a new shift kit, rods could be worn. Here is a great explaination:
Remember the old days before keyboards, we all used TYPWRITERS ?
well when you hit 2 keys at the same time they got stuck & you had to pull them apart ? well thats the same with tranny linkage. Worn, misaligned / rods needing replacement or adjustment cause the same problem. Levers could be worn as well. I had a similar problem, bought a new shifter & shift kit with all the rods, levers & clevis clips & locking up was all cured.
I have the same problem with my 72 and I have a Hurst Competition. Mine also locks up in two gears when shifting out of reverse. I have checked the connections at the transmission shift levers and they are tight. I believe it needs an adjustment or possibly a shifter rebuild.
You probhably need a new shift kit, rods could be worn. Here is a great explaination:
Remember the old days before keyboards, we all used TYPWRITERS ?
well when you hit 2 keys at the same time they got stuck & you had to pull them apart ? well thats the same with tranny linkage. Worn, misaligned / rods needing replacement or adjustment cause the same problem. Levers could be worn as well. I had a similar problem, bought a new shifter & shift kit with all the rods, levers & clevis clips & locking up was all cured.
This was a great analogy. It's much easier to pull them apart in the case of the typewriter.
I have mastered the technique of getting under the car and un hooking the rods.
Do you have any recommendations for the shifter kit ?
You probhably need a new shift kit, rods could be worn. Here is a great explaination:
Remember the old days before keyboards, we all used TYPWRITERS ?
well when you hit 2 keys at the same time they got stuck & you had to pull them apart ? well thats the same with tranny linkage. Worn, misaligned / rods needing replacement or adjustment cause the same problem. Levers could be worn as well. I had a similar problem, bought a new shifter & shift kit with all the rods, levers & clevis clips & locking up was all cured.
Good comparison.
How many forum members have seen a typewriter.
Looking thru a drawer the other day and found a book of matches. They used to be beside almost all store cash registers.
Looking thru a drawer the other day and found a book of matches. They used to be beside almost all store cash registers.
It's good to know that we have a few geeks among us
Not sure how many forum natives would relate to a typewriter, but I did and found that comment very facinating.
I have two typewriters; I used to use them just for fun. You can make fun of me if you want...
Anyways, I had the exact same problem twice. I realized that I could go up to 60, so it was actually second gear but looked like first. Be sure to put some Corrosion X and or grease in the linkage after you are done freeing them. Also, it only happened when I was shifting really fast. These Muncies are old, so I am a little nicer and it has been good for a while.
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by rajsid
It's good to know that we have a few geeks among us
Not sure how many forum natives would relate to a typewriter, but I did and found that comment very facinating.
Yeah i know it started off weird like WTF does a typwriter have to do with this. It's a very simple concept to understand when explained the way i explained it, kinda like laymans terms for those that know very little about transmission linkages & locking up in gear.