Removing the console takes all of 5 minutes.

Pull it off and do the alignment procedure again. It certainly beats waiting around for a phone call during the holidays.

 

Don't worry; I had to do that too due to forgetting to connect the freaking 12V plug in front .

Anyway, if you didn't have reverse issue before, it's obvious it's an installation issue. And it should also be obvious that the critical alignment bolt (the collar bolt) should be tightened last. Otherwise alignment can change. I took the shift box apart (just like you had to do) and there's nothing special inside. I was having issues with crunching in 2nd, so checked the box, lubed it, and remounted it. The first time gears went in like butter, but since nobody provided a torque figure for the 4 box bolts, I decided to put 11 ft/lbs and then loosen and tighten the collar bolt again. After I was finished, it wasn't the same. Damn. That means even done by the book, with the locking pin in place, it's never the same. That little bit of wiggle with the pin in place is obviously enough to change things. Now 3rd is notchy when cold, which wasn't the case before. At least reverse is less of an issue now. But it was a PITA before. Bottom line is it's a matter of luck how good the shifter will be even after adjustment by the book. That's how bad GM tolerances are. But with the shift gates inside the transmission, the above just doesn't make any sense. But the crunching doesn't make sense either, since downshifting to 2nd (with no throttle blip) doesn't crunch when cold at all. It's only when coming from 1st. At least everything works perfectly when hot, and it crunches a lot less now, so no worries. Oh, and after torquing the collar bolt, push the locking pin down again to make sure it goes in. Mine did both times. Puzzling why the difference. Good luck man.

 

I modified those pieces for a snug sealed fit like the oem shifter. I also added the "Dyamat" heat/insulation around the shifter, inside the torque tube as described in the video and up under the entire center storage console. This not only reduced the amount of heat in the center console, but the noise abatement improved a bit. When I ordered the MGW shifter, I ordered two 10" x 10" Dynomat sheets that did the job for $10.00. Probably the best value mod I every did!

 

Took your advice and opened it back up Glad i did , i re did the adjustment I took the advice of ELP-JC and tightened the collar bolt last this time and re checked that alignment pin Wow what a difference the shifter hits reverse no problem now, can't believe it !Thanks Everyone, now i can put the console back togther again

 

Glad to hear that Now go drive it like you stole it and do us vette owners proud Merry Christmas