iowa51 Posted June 1, 2016 Report Posted June 1, 2016 ...then it won't. 1951 Cranbrook, had the engine rebuilt and the car came back to me from the shop last fall. 90% of the time it will shift into reverse with no problem and then it won't go, no grinding, just won't slide into place. I can feel a small indent with the gearshift lever where it should go but it won't move. Running it through 1st, 2nd,3rd with the clutch in doesn't help most of the time, then it will go into reverse when I'm about ready to give up. Next time I drive it no problems, then drive it again and won't go into reverse once or twice, of course that happens when I really need reverse. Something is just a little out of adjustment, ideas on what and where to adjust? If it make any difference it seems to happen more after I have drove the car for awhile when things are warmed up. Quote
austinsailor Posted June 1, 2016 Report Posted June 1, 2016 Sometimes the gears hit. Putting it in 2nd or 3rd will move the gears a tiny bit. Then, when you try reverse again it'll not hit the gears directly and slip in. May or may not be what you are dealing with. Too see, while trying to push it into reverse, let the clutch out just enough to move the gears. If you feel the gear teeth bumping or it slips in, you've found out. If nothing happens, forget this and wait until you get a better answer. Mine does this occasionally, but I don't think there is anything wrong. I'll be curious to hear what you find. Gene Gruender Quote
mopar_earl Posted June 1, 2016 Report Posted June 1, 2016 Adjust the shift rods are per the service manual. Sagging engine mounts can throw off shifter rod travel. There is a rubber bushing on the one rod that maybe shot or missing. Bushing can be had on eBay. Earl Quote
greg g Posted June 2, 2016 Report Posted June 2, 2016 Intermittent symptoms usually indicate an external problem rather than internal, especially since you have had the engine out and back in. As noted you likely just need a bit of linkage Adjustment or a bushing or two. Quote
laynrubber Posted June 2, 2016 Report Posted June 2, 2016 Linkage should be checked but also it could be that issue of gears lining up inside. I find that if I run through some forward gears again....reverse slips in. Plus....there is a combination of curse words that certainly help. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted June 2, 2016 Report Posted June 2, 2016 Linkage should be checked but also it could be that issue of gears lining up inside. I find that if I run through some forward gears again....reverse slips in. Plus....there is a combination of curse words that certainly help. blue streak shifter... Quote
pflaming Posted June 2, 2016 Report Posted June 2, 2016 I'm having the same problem, so keep giving ideas to check. I thought the nut at the bottom of the shaft was part of the adjustment, but don't think so. It seems to be all in those rods. Mine shifted every time but the small brazed on bracket on the steering tube broke off and now reattached I can't get it back into adjustment. We were VERY CAREFUL when welding that bracket on but may have messed it all up. Very frustrating, words cannot describe! Quote
iowa51 Posted June 6, 2016 Author Report Posted June 6, 2016 (edited) Jacked the car up a few days ago and looked underneath. Sifter rods/linkages are loose so they can move but not sloppy. Service manual says to adjust rod because it is too long, to long compared to what? Do I turn it in or out? Didn't adjust anything yet. The last few days either shifted the car with it off or running and moving the car back and forth a few feet in the garage going between 1st, 2nd and reverse. No problems going into reverse. Today went to a car show about 10 miles away. Backed out of my detached garage, parked in front of the attached garage, backed out of the driveway when I left and no problems with reverse. Got to the car show and it would not go into reverse to back in my car. Drove to another spot that I could drive through the spot to park. Drove home and parked in the attached garage driveway, put some stuff away and tried to back up and wouldn't go into reverse. Basically it will go into reverse when the car is cold but not when hot, I can't think of anything with the transmission linkage that would be affected by the heat. Ideas what the heat would change when trying to shift? Again, no clashing of gears and putting the clutch in/out doesn't help and transmission is full of oil. Edited June 6, 2016 by iowa51 Quote
Young Ed Posted June 6, 2016 Report Posted June 6, 2016 Rather than hot cold is one of those spots off level? I had to adjust mine after not going into reverse when parked facing downhill. I think gravity would cause a slight movement against the mounts. Quote
mopar_earl Posted June 6, 2016 Report Posted June 6, 2016 Adjust your rods. That fixed the issue with my trans not going into reverse. It's the easiest thing to do and to eliminate. The procedure should be in your manual. If not I can type the procedure from my manual. Heat effects everything on a vehicle. Everything expands and contracts with temp change including steel rods. Earl Quote
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