shifter mods done, screwed up somewhere, help
 

I got Wayne's book about 101 projects. Shifter was hanging up going into 2nd. Car is a 86 3.2, all stock. I believe that when I parked the car, it was in first, but not sure. Any way, I took off the shift rod coupling, had the pin pressed out, and new bushings installed. I also replaced the shift rod bushing. I marked the coupling on the shift rod with a marker. Now I cant get the car in reverse. I screwed up somewhere along the line. On page 107 it says that adjusting the shifter is simple. "reattach the shift coupler to the trany", done, but keep the clamped end of the shifter rod loose', done. "With the trany in first,???, place the shifter into the upper left hand corner of the shift pattern". Well, wouldn't that be where the shifter would anyway if its in first gear? " now clamp down the shift coupler bolt". Well, now I cant get into reverse. Where I think it is, is 4th gear or maybe 2nd. Any help would be great, thanks.
SmileWavy

Try this... This is the way I do it...

Detach Coupler. Find neutral on the trans by moving shifter rod on trans. You will see that it moves forward and backwards, passing through a center detent. At this detent, you should be able to rotate the rod left & right. This is neutral.

Connect shift coupler. Now turn trans rod towards passenger side while in neutral. Move shifter lever towards driver's side. Find a shift lever position that is about 1/2 way of forward/back shifter travel. Tighten clamp.

You might have to adjust ft/back position of shift lever to suit your taste... But that's about it.

Good Luck! Lou

It really is a trial and error thing. You know it is right if you can get in reverse and downshift from 5th to 4th without nicking reverse.

use an awl to make some marks on it - make drawing of whre they are - that's your reference - move until everything works

do coarse adj. while sitting; fine while driving

it just takes a while....

Yup....it's one of those "screw with it" deals...once you understand the relationship between the shifter and the trans shaft, you'll get it in a few minutes.

Thanks guys. Does the rod from the shifter back turn or rotate as you move the shifter into different gears? Everything I did is from the trans rod forward, right? Because of the hex nut that holds the coupler on to the trans rod, thats fixed and cant be moved, like the coupler and trans should be one piece. Does that make any sence. I cant believe I messed it up with such a little fix.

As all above... I rebuil my shifter awhile back to include bushings, coupler etc.... and it took about 3/4 tries to get it "just right" There is a thread around, maybe in the "how to" section that explains a different process than Wayne uses...

[1] The shift rod will rotate slightly as you move it L & R to line up different gates in the pattern - it has to, right?

[2] It moves F & R -- back & forth -- as you move it between gears that are in line...

e.g. 1st and 2nd on a 915 pattern are [2]
2nd to 3rd shift on 915 are [1]

if I remember the 915 right.

Thanks, makes sense now. I just found some old threads on the subject and they seem to help too. I should have looked first, but I just got on the site and typed. Ill check things out in the am.

Re: shifter mods done, screwed up somewhere, help
 

Take a step back, sometimes people read one thing when it says another.

"With the tranny in first" Actually make sure the transmission itself is in first (car can't roll, etc.). We're not talking about the shifter handle at this time.

"place the shifter..." move the shifter into the place where it would put the transmission into first gear, then tighten...

-Wayne

I think he is not sure IF it is in 1st, nor how to get it there....

Here's what I did. Unconnect the trans shaft and the shifter shaft at the joint in back under the cover in front of the seats (Just be painfuly sure we're all on the same page.

Now, put the shifter in first with your left hand, while observing the shifter shapfts action. It will rotate (counterclockwise when viewed from behind the car, I think,) and it will move backwards (I think).

If I am correct in my recollection and logic, use your hand to replicate the action on the trans shaft. You will be able to feel it move through it's range of motion. So, the action will be to moveit all teh way to one side, and all teh way back or forward, depending on what the shifter shaft did.

Now just slide the coupler over the shaft and tighten, then test for the other gears. You might find that you just can't get reverse, no worries, loosen things up and while holding the shifter shaft, twist the trans shaft slightly away from the 1st gear extreme setting. reengage the coupler and tighten. Might take a try or two, but you'll get it.

Well, got the car running again. Did like you all said, moved the rod over to the left, car in first, etc. I tightened all up and can now get into all gears. Thanks for the advise. One thing. Before the coulper bushings were replaced, the shift into second was very hard. Now, I still seem to think its better, but not buttery smooth. I pull down, and it seems to hang up, and then kind of "clunk" into second, any ideas. Is it still not adjusted right?