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1970 454 4 speed Reverse issue

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Old Mar 31, 2012 | 06:59 PM
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Default 1970 454 4 speed Reverse issue

Hi Guys..... After 2 weeks up on block stands doing a host of things to the 1970 that I purchased, we took the car out for a test ride very late this afternoon. We've installed new rotors, calipers, brake pads all the way around... as well as front sway bar links etc.... Car went into reverse once.......Pulled out of my driveway.....shifted through all 4 gears....but simply wont go into reverse....only went about 2 miles from home...but a good indicator for us to see what might be wrong.... Would greatly appreciate your opinions on this....

Scratching our heads over this one.....Possibly a bent reverse shift fork or a Gear tooth issue? Tranny number is POE27B..M21 . The car hasnt been really run in a few years...only driven about 10 miles in the last 3 years.... Your comments would surely be appreciated. Not sure where else to turn at this point.....
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Old Mar 31, 2012 | 07:12 PM
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did you check if the bolt on the reverse lever loosened? Did the pin that retains the reverse lever shaft fall out and now you can pull the reverse lever out of the case?
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Old Mar 31, 2012 | 09:57 PM
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Reverse lockout on the shifter is probably out of sorts.
Did you adjust or at least check shifter linkage adjustment while you wwere under the car?
I doubt it's a trans problem if it worked once before without alot of noise.
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 06:30 AM
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thanks guys... will try and check these things out....
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 10:12 AM
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Are you able to move the shifter sideways into the reverse gate? If not, the lock out level is not disengaged all the way. If you can get the shifter in the gate, but can't get it into gear, then it might be the tranny. It could also be the linkage if there's not enough travel.
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 07:00 PM
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Thanks for all the replies.... got some great advice from lotsa folks... Problem fixed....
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 07:05 PM
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And the problem was?????? And the fix was???????? Please share. It might be my problem next week.
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Old Apr 2, 2012 | 06:37 AM
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The lockout reverse lever attached to the steering column... pull out the cotter pin..lift the lever upwards and that was the fix..... this lockout lever is where the cable goers to the tranny. Andy
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Old Apr 2, 2012 | 10:44 AM
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That cable and lever not only locked the transmission in Reverse gear when you removed your ignition key, it also prevented you from locking the steering wheel when your Vette was moving forward. Most likely your problem is a frozen, corroded interlock cable. New ones are available for automatics as well as 4-speeds.

Just so you understand that you can unhook the cable from the steering column and secure the lever in the full UP position. Everything will work just fine - except the engine can be turned off and the steering wheel locked even though you are still moving down the road. GM built the system into all early '70s passenger cars to prevent that from happening.

The paper describes the General Motors Steering Column/Transmission Shift Interlock System.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=928

Jim
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