Help! My 4-speed will not shift into reverse. I think I need to remove the shifter for some cleaning and ??? to get it working again. Can it be removed up through the opening in the bottom of the car?? Or "How do I do this" is really the question??? Thanks! :confused:

 

Any suggestions anyone? Can it be removed from inside, or do I need to jack it up and tackle from underneath???

 

It must be removed from underneath. Do you have a shop manual?

 

Mine did the same thing a year ago. It would intermittently not go into reverse, of course always at the worst times. I have an M-20 with Hurst comp+4 shifter. It is a tight fit with the exhaust in the way. I checked and lubed all of the linkage several times and it seemed to be OK but the problem was still there. I checked the oil level and found it to be low. I drained the old oil and put in new Valvoline 80W 90 and haven't had any trouble since. SO before you take things apart check the oil level. :confused: :cheers:


[Modified by silvervetteman, 5:42 PM 3/17/2002]

 

Does your car also have the "shift" interlock feature like my '69? That is, do you have to be in reverse to get the key out of the ignition? The cable that makes this feature work is tied to the reverse lever at the transmission and runs up to the steering column. You didn't mention having trouble getting the key out so I'm guess this isn't the problem, but I thought I'd ask if you'd considered this area.

Andy

 

The interlock was the first thing I checked. I disconnected it at the column (engine compartment) The interlock worked fine and even with i unhooked the trans still would not go into reverse, Ten minutes later it worked fine (i did nothing ??? ) It had me puzzled. Find the Muncie four spped section at this site for some help http://www.fivespeeds.com

 

Sorry .. the link doesn't work and I can't seem to edit the last post. Do a search for that site, there was a section on Muncies. Lots of good info and a forum just on Muncie four speeds.

 

Before you remove the shifter, a real PITA, have you adjusted the linkage per the GM Chassis Manual? If your adjustment is off, you can try to put it in reverse and nothing will happen. The adjustment is fairly simple.

Gary

 

Provided your transmission is not the culprit, you might find your problem with some general inspections first. Now, you said it won't go into reverse, meaning you try to move the shifter into the reverse position and it won't go.

Get the car up on stands, put the shifter in the neutral position, then get under the car and have a second person get in and shift through the gears. Watch the shifter arms, on the tranny, as they move. Have the person tell you when they put the shifter in 1st, 2nd and so on. You will then be able to identify which arms are assiciated with 1,2, 3, 4 and reverse. You will also see if there is any slop in the movements of the arms/shifter bars or shifter. Sometimes the two bolts, holding the shifter onto the tranny, loosen up and cause problems. Inspect the 3 shifter arms on the tranny. Make sure the bolts, holding the arms on the tranny, are tight and there is no loose play when you try to move them front and back. Next, check the hard plastic grommets, if you have any, on either/both ends of the shifter bars from the tranny to the shifter. Also check your keeper pins, on all bars, to see if they are significantly worn and replace, if necessary. You have stated that the reverse cable is in proper working condition, but check to make sure, by disconnecting either end and see if the car will go in reverse.

Finally, with the shifter in neutral, there is an alignment hole on the shifter body, about 1/8" in diameter, located below the top bolt hole, I believe, on the hurst shifter. When in neutral, you should be able to stick about a 12 penny nail through it or an allen wrench smaller than the 1/8" opening. It should go all the way through to the inside cover of the shifter. If it hits before contacting the inside shifter housing, then you have one of the arms/bars/slide plates out of adjustment. These don't normally just work their way out of adjustment, something has to have either worn out or come loose. Good luck.