All good now, thanks George for supporting me. Car shifts like a champ!

 

GLAD you got it... so, WHAT WAS the PROBLEM?

 

I would also like to know the solution. I just installed the MGW and used their new alignment tool and had absolutely no problems. I sure would like to know if I was lucky or something else. Thanks in advance!

 

The alignment tool works.

The problem was bascially me, my car and a little bit of overthinking it.

When I first installed it, I actually probobly had it right, but was very paniced and worried it wasn't when it wouldn't go into reverse right away. What happened after that was a series of frustrations that caused me to make "other mistakes" dragging out the problem. I lost a couple days after stripping the bolt. I also only had about 40 minutes a day to look at it being very busy with work and other stuff.

In the end, I think that I moved the lower box after I removed the alignment tool in the first attempt taking it out of alignment. The two attempts after that I didn't use the alignment tool over thinking the issue along with others telling me it had to be lined up both at the pinch location and on the torque tube or it would "pop" out of gear.

The last attempt(s) after sorting out the stripped bolt and one more conversation with George had me realize I was making it more complicated than it was. I spent a bunch of time making sure the alignment tool was in, the linkage rod was lined up properly with the half moon notch (shining a light down in there) and then tightening down all three bolts before removing the alignment tool. I got it sorted last Friday night and went for a drive.

It's kind of embarrassing really, but I learned a lot from the experience in other ways.

The MGW shifter is a must have mod that makes the driving experience that much better, I also had ordered several extra sheets of dynamat which also has reduced the heat in the console area. the side of my leg almost used to burn from the heat on a long cruise and now it's warm, but a lot more insulation which is great. I also like the flatstick and pool ball **** better than the own leather one.

Thanks to George for great support.

The real test will be bangin' gears in the quarter which I'll be doing very soon.

 

So what was the issue with 6th? Just finished a clutch swap and the car will not go into 6th while running, but will go in 90% of the time if the car is off. I'm still using the stock C6 shifter though.

 

running like at idle or while driving? I think sitting at idle, it will block out 6th, just like while driving it blocks out reverse.

 

I haven't actually taken the car out for a test drive yet to see if 6th works while moving, just trying all the gears beforehand and noticed 6th did not engage at all while the car is idling. When I turn the car off, it will go into 6th a few times smoothly and then it feels like the gear is totally gone, almost like the shifter is going way past the gate for 6th. I know the trans fluid is a little low and I'm going to fill it up this morning, but would that affect it even going in 6th? Every other gear is butter smooth.

 

6th is directly below 5th, but you say 5th is fine?

 

The car is fine...my buddy and I assumed something was wrong since neither of us had ever noticed if/how the shifter goes in 6th (either off or just idling). It seems the reverse lockout solenoid also affects 6th gear somehow when the car is not moving. We double checked the reverse lockout and skip shift plug just to be sure they were not switched, and we found that the harness is not even long enough for them to be switched, at least not on my car. Anyway, the car is running great, working on the break-in miles. Shifts better than it ever has!

 

I picked up my MGW shifter yesterday and installed it after work. (I live in the Augusta, GA area so I was able to go directly to the MGW plant and make my purchase.) I have the same issue - no reverse. I ran out of daylight after I finished the install and initial test drive, but did manage to take a quick spin around the block. 1st through 6th feel fine. Can't get it into reverse while engine is running, but while stopped and engine off, it feels like it's engaging. I'll get after it after work tonight and see if I can get it resolved. I'll report back later...

 

Problem solved. Pinch clamp was a tad loose. Easy and quick fix. Works fine now!