Car won't go into gear
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 11
From: Grafton MA
Car won't go into gear
Please help. I went to drive my '71 today and I can't get it into gear. The car is a 4 speed manual. Here's what's happening.
I start the car, and with the clutch to the floor go to put it into first and it won't go (same with 2nd, 3rd and 4th). If I go to put it in reverse it will grind. If I shut off the car and press the clutch I can shift smoothly between gears. For some reason though when the car is running I cannot.
Any idea what the issue could be?
Thanks.
I start the car, and with the clutch to the floor go to put it into first and it won't go (same with 2nd, 3rd and 4th). If I go to put it in reverse it will grind. If I shut off the car and press the clutch I can shift smoothly between gears. For some reason though when the car is running I cannot.
Any idea what the issue could be?
Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,755
Likes: 2,589
One possibility is the bolts on the shift linkage have come loose. The other possibility is the clutch has to be adjusted.
1. How much free play is in the pedal before you feel any resistance. If less than an inch the clutch has to be adjusted.
2. Place shifter in neutral, jack up the drivers side of the car, the levers for 1-2 and 3-4 on the side of the case should be straight up and properly attached to the shafts coming out of the side of the case. If not loosen the two bolts and adjust the levers when they are fully engaged with the shaft to the straight up positon and then tighten the bolts.
1. How much free play is in the pedal before you feel any resistance. If less than an inch the clutch has to be adjusted.
2. Place shifter in neutral, jack up the drivers side of the car, the levers for 1-2 and 3-4 on the side of the case should be straight up and properly attached to the shafts coming out of the side of the case. If not loosen the two bolts and adjust the levers when they are fully engaged with the shaft to the straight up positon and then tighten the bolts.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 11
From: Grafton MA
Thanks for your reply. There is very little play before I feel resistance. Please bear with me as I'm learning here....I took a look and they appear to be straight. I took a quick photo, but it may be hard to make out. So I want to make sure they are all straight and bolts are tight with the clutch engaged?
