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Help...!! Help...!! Trans stuck.

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Old Mar 3, 2007 | 02:57 PM
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Default Help...!! Help...!! Trans stuck.

Help..!!!!

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.

Any similar experiences ?
Solutions ?

Thanks in advance...
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Old Mar 3, 2007 | 03:03 PM
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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.
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Old Mar 3, 2007 | 03:53 PM
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Yep, linkage adjustment. Been there, done that.
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Old Mar 3, 2007 | 04:06 PM
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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.
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Old Mar 3, 2007 | 07:23 PM
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I went under the car, jiggled the linkage and it worked.
Went for another drive and now I am stuck in reverse.
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Old Mar 3, 2007 | 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by rajsid
I went under the car, jiggled the linkage and it worked.
Went for another drive and now I am stuck in reverse.
My wife says "Did you see Talledaga nights" Just put on a blindfold and drive backwards. Be one with the car.
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Old Mar 3, 2007 | 08:32 PM
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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.
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Old Mar 3, 2007 | 08:48 PM
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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.
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Old Mar 3, 2007 | 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted by 427SIXPACK


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 ?
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Old Mar 3, 2007 | 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by rajsid
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 ?

Any vette parts place has the shifter rods, levers & clevis clips, i think i got mine from either Paragon or Zips.........
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Old Mar 3, 2007 | 11:28 PM
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Yep. Worn bushings, rods, etc. will put you in a "pickle". Not good, when you're trying to hot shift to 3rd and the linkage locks up in neutral!
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Old Mar 3, 2007 | 11:45 PM
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Originally Posted by 427SIXPACK


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.
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Old Mar 4, 2007 | 01:39 AM
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Originally Posted by noonie
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.
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.
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Old Mar 4, 2007 | 01:52 AM
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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.
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Old Mar 4, 2007 | 09:07 AM
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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.

Can't believe i'm going to type this:


IF YOU KNOW WHAT A TYPEWRITER IS !
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Old Mar 14, 2007 | 08:34 PM
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Ha da '69 back in '72 and Had this problem. Stuck in first and reverse at the same time. My '68 now has a Hurst-a beautiful thing.
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