It does have a very stiff reverse lock-out.
When shifting these on the bench, it does take a lot of effort to go through the gate. But once it is bolted to the tranny and the tranny is bolted in, I like it; there is no mistaking which leg I'm in.And banging the 2-3 is lightning!
Also trying to shift into any gear on an 833 with the tranny out of the car is an exercise in frustration, cuz the clutching teeth rarely line up.What often happens is you jam up one brass ring and then it's even worse. To unstick the brass can be a challenge. With the forks in neutral,the input gear needs to be turned while the output is held fast. Then the brass has to let go. If you want to bench shift it, the input should be simultaneously turned at a slow speed, and the shifter slammed in. This is how you will be shifting it once the tranny is installed. And it will shift perfect.
Unless, of course, the brass is ornery,worn out, or bent, or the clutch is dragging, or sometimes the N-1 hangs up, cuz the input has completely stopped spinning.That's why I never run 140oil. When coming to a stoplight,and clutching it,the gears stop spinning almost instantly,as soon as you are stopped, and there you are stuck in neutral and the light is long green and people are honking at you to get moving!
I love that short stick Mr.G. Mine is circa 1971, has close to 200,000 miles, and received a cleaning in about 2004.Yours looks really really good.
