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stuck in first gear

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Old Aug 15, 2011 | 02:08 PM
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lambotom
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Default stuck in first gear

Hi all,
My 1971 454 4 speed C3 corvette is stuck in first gear. The shift lever will not move any more left to right, and only slightly forward-aft. It happened when starting the car and putting it in first gear, after a long and normal drive!

Any suggestions are welcome. Is this the 'box itself, the linkage, or is there some sort of steering interlock mechanism (it is mentioned in the owners manual, that one can only put the key in LOCK when the transmission is in reverse, although this was not the case on my car)?

Thanks!

Tom
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Old Aug 15, 2011 | 03:02 PM
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Probably the linkage. Get under the car and see if you can move the stuck arm on the side of the trans.
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Old Aug 15, 2011 | 03:53 PM
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The bolts holding the shifter levers to the shafts loosen up and cause this. Look for a loose bolt, tighten, and then manually push all levers into neutral.
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