New short shifter now now reverse gear goes forward instead of back!!! help

[supercarrera82]

I have just changed my clutch cable, shift bushings and have put in a factory short shifter kit, after installing all of this according to "101 projects for your porsche" the car perfectly shifts to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear, but when I attempt to put it into reverse it seems to be in 4th (because the car goes forward rather than reverse)which doesnt make sense, my guess is it is not going far enough to the right to fall into reverse.

I posted this the other day and was told it could be my coupler but I also tried that too, I adjusted it still no results. Could it be the short shifter???I bought the short shifter on ebay (pic below)it said its for a 915, I have a porsche 911 sc 1982. I also changes the clutch cable could it be that???
All the other gears work fine but the car goes forward in what I think is the reverse gear (lower right) the reason I think its 4th is because I have to rev the car a bit before it moves and when it does its goes up instead of reverse.

Other than that the short shifter is amazing, just need my reverse. Please give me suggestions!!!!!!!! Im all out of them, thanks a bunch!!!

[snbush67]

Does it go into 5th gear allright? You have a five speed transmission so you are probably not getting reverse. Put the car in first gear and see where the shifter is in alignment to the shift housing, it should be all the way or real close to the top left. If it isnt then you should adjust you coupler so that it is. Then try.

[BeauBlues]

How about fifth gear? Does it engage where it used to? My guess is that you have aligned so that the reverse lock out gets in the way(the little springy lever on top of the shifter). Try adjusting the coupler fore and aft and see if that helps.

[Poohsan]

I had a similar problem with my 81. I was able to correct the problem by adjusting the coupler. I followed the instructions here on Pelican.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_shifting_improvements/911_shifting_improvements.htm


I learned the hard way how important it is to make sure the coupler is aligned correctly. In my case I jammed the transmission in between 4th and Reverse.

[911pcars]

Sounds like others have provided a source for the solution. As a suggestion for next time; place reference marks on the coupler and the shift tube so you can get a close approximation when you reassemble.

Sherwood

[supercarrera82]

thanks a bunch ill give it a try

[al lkosmal]

One other thing that you should check. I had a similar problem to yours and the cause was the setscrew, used at the front end of the shift rod, to connect the shift lever ball socket housing to the shift lever. This came loose and no manner of coupler adjusting would compensate. I finally took the shifter/housing out, to inspect for worn bushings, etc. and found this problem. The setscrew backed out and , due to the slop, allows the shift lever to move right and left w/o actually rotating the rod/coupler/shaft enough to engage reverse. It happened twice until I applied Loctite.

Regards,

Al

[al lkosmal]

Here is an illustration that shows the set screw (item 23) that can come loose and cause the problems you are describing. I would check this, as well.

regards,

Al