68 Shifter Stuck
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 783
Likes: 38
From: Mankato Mn
68 Shifter Stuck
After 2 tears of putting my 68 convertible back together I finally took it out for my first test drive. It would grind trying to put it into reverse unless I put it into second and then reverse. So after I got it into reverse I backed out of the garage and got it into first and headed down the alley but couldn't get it into second gear. So I thought I would put it in reverse and back up. It seemed like the sifter went to reverse but when I let the clutch out it would kill the engine like the brakes were on. So I got the shifter out of reverse and limped it around the block in whatever gear its in and got it back in the garage. I rebuilt the shifter with a rebuild kit when I had it out. It was pretty sloppy and seemed to be tight and work fine in the vise. When I installed it I did the tool in the slot thing. When I did the rods I put them in the "short throw" holes ! Could that have anything to do with it not shifter correctly ????
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 807
Likes: 800
From: Chapin SC 29036
It sounds like you still have your shifting arms misaligned. when you killed the engine I am guessing that you had Reverse and a Forward gear selected at the same time.
I had that issue years ago and had to go through the alignment procedure again. I have mine in the short throw holes to stop the shifter from hitting the metal part of the console.
Getting the alignment tool into the slot while you are under the car has always been a pain, but it is really the only way I know of getting the shifter aligned correctly.
I had that issue years ago and had to go through the alignment procedure again. I have mine in the short throw holes to stop the shifter from hitting the metal part of the console.
Getting the alignment tool into the slot while you are under the car has always been a pain, but it is really the only way I know of getting the shifter aligned correctly.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,689
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It's not unusual for it to grind if you don't select a forward gear before selecting reverse. Reverse has no synchronizers. My 69 owners manual even mentions that. If the bolts holding the shifter linkage to the shafts coming out of the case are loose you can have the problem you are describing.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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You have to adjust you clutch and you have to align the arms when its in the car and mounted
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,145
Likes: 9,274
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Not if everything is adjusted correctly after you put the rods innthose holes. It performs much better in the short throw position. Same or very slightly shorter than a Hurst. Only difference is the hurst is spring loaded
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Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,145
Likes: 9,274
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Maybe if the hole in the floor is big enough and you can get a good angle, but you still have to adjust the linkage from underneath so its probably not worth trying
Race Director
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 961
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From: Frederick MD
Being you have a 68, you might want to read about my little adventure. In short the 68 model year a lot of stuff transitioned parts wise. Thus, In conjunction to being misadjusted you could have the wrong parts if this is a cobbled together OE or aftermarket shifter.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-shifter.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-shifter.html
Pro
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 728
Likes: 346
From: Smyrna, TN
After 2 tears of putting my 68 convertible back together I finally took it out for my first test drive. It would grind trying to put it into reverse unless I put it into second and then reverse. So after I got it into reverse I backed out of the garage and got it into first and headed down the alley but couldn't get it into second gear. So I thought I would put it in reverse and back up. It seemed like the sifter went to reverse but when I let the clutch out it would kill the engine like the brakes were on. So I got the shifter out of reverse and limped it around the block in whatever gear its in and got it back in the garage. I rebuilt the shifter with a rebuild kit when I had it out. It was pretty sloppy and seemed to be tight and work fine in the vise. When I installed it I did the tool in the slot thing. When I did the rods I put them in the "short throw" holes ! Could that have anything to do with it not shifter correctly ????
[This is my attempt at a joke]
