Cant get into reverse
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 156
From: Clayton New Jersey
Cant get into reverse
I just purchased a 1974 Vette with a 4 speed..I cant get it into reverse. The lock out is down. I thought maybe the spring was missing but it's there. There is no tension on the lock out it's just down..anything I can check? Trans number is 3925661
Thanks, Bill
Thanks, Bill
Last edited by HT1663WB; Oct 7, 2010 at 08:59 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Not sure I follow.. Is this a factory shifter? On my 70, I pull UP on the lockout to get into reverse. Down should keep it from going into reverse. Do the forward gears work? Are you able to shift into 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th OK? Just wondering if you may be having a problem with your linkage.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 156
From: Clayton New Jersey
All forward gears work. had a 77 vette and you could feel the tension when you pulled up to go into reverse. The t handle just flops around there is no tension on it. It is the factory shifter.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
on my '78 L82 I had more or less the same problem. Solution was to tighten up the nuts on the shifter linkage which were loose. It wasn't easy to get a wrench in from underneath but it has helped. Still not perfect but better and I want to get the console open over the winter and tighten everything up more adequately.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 3
From: Carmichael ca
Sounds like the spring in your reverse lockout is broken or missing. This won't prevent it from going into reverse though. Sounds like the linkage is out of adjustment. Does it go to the reverse gate?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 315
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Unscrew the ball, pull the spring and T-handle/rod out of the shifter. With the rod out, you should be able to slide the shifter thru the neutral gate over to reverse. If not, your reverse linkage rod may not be adjusted correctly. Can you unbolt the lever on the tranny shaft and manually shift in and out of reverse? If not, you might have a problem in the tranny. If so, move the reverse rod and line it up in the shifter neutral gate. Will the shifter now go thru the neutral gate and pick up reverse? Now adjust the reverse rod and reconnect to the tranny shaft.
Last edited by Faster Rat; Oct 8, 2010 at 12:11 PM.
