Shifter Fun
 

So as usual on these old cars, the project I have to work on is not the project I wanted to work on. I was looking forward to a complete suspension rebuild this winter, but it looks like that's going to have to wait.

My car has stopped going into reverse - finding first instead. And it has stopped going into 5th, instead it appears to find 3rd. Has this happened to anyone else? So, it's time to do some some shifty work. I've been eyeing up a WEVO shifter and PSJ for a while, so I'll do that while I'm in there. I'm also replacing the bushings with the $20 pelican kit here: https://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=PEL-BUSHKIT1N&SuperCat=Y&SVSVSI=&catalog_description=S hift%20Bushing%20Kit

Anything else y'all would recommend?

Usually it's just the shift coupling. Replace the plastic bushings there and also one in the tunnel right behind the shift tower and then re-calibrate and you should be good. You can still afford to do your front end rebuild.

You can't go wrong with the Wevo and PSJ, and bushings. You'll eliminate all the wear items and be able to readjust everything, which will get your gears back where they should be-- not to mention this setup is a great upgrade to shifting. If you are on a budget then do the PSJ alone and readjust, at least as a first step.

While I do recommend the Wevo shifter, it sounds like adjusting your coupler might solve the problem. Why not give it a whirl since the only cost is pulling carpet for the transmission tunnel?

It's a bit of an art. Adjust, drive, shift, park, adjust, drive, shift, park...until all the gears are where they should be.

You might be able to assess wear on the coupler by twisting the shaft in-place. I went with the factory rubber coupler (I didn't want the slight noise increase of the PSJ) and I found that while there was a 5-10mm square of "play", there was no additional slop when actually moving to engage gears.

HAHA, good advice.

Thanks y’all. Parts on the way. This is my weekend project.