Can’t shift into reverse

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121gigawatts

121gigawatts

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Near Chicago
Im new. Just bought my first a body and it’s not without its issues. Car runs and drives but doesn’t go into reverse. I can shift 1-4, it’s a little stiff but it will not go into reverse. I’m thinking it could be the shifter mechanism? I was hoping you guys can help.
 
The first thing to do is tell us what you're working on. Our community crystal ball is broken and we don't know what kind of car you have. Include all the pertinent details.
 
1st step is linkage adjustment check.

If it were me I would put the trans in neutral, get under the car and see if the lever for reverse can be moved by hand into and out of reverse.
That would tell me right away if it's a linkage issue or an internal problem.
 
TrailBeast said:
1st step is linkage adjustment check.

If it were me I would put the trans in neutral, get under the car and see if the lever for reverse can be moved by hand into and out of reverse.
That would tell me right away if it's a linkage issue or an internal problem.
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This member is correct, scotch your car and have a friend move the shifter in first to second so you can see witch one is your reverse leaver , the one that moves as you shift it in any forward gears is NOT your reverse leaver, the other one is that is not moving, put it in and neutral and I would remove the linkage arm off the reverse leaver and see if it goes in , keep safety in mind please
 
It DOES shift in reverse by hand. My old man helped me mess around with it and at one point we had the shifter only shifting in reverse!! But after some more poking and prodding it’s back to 1-4 only....
 
Welcome to never never land! How near Chi are ya'?
Like you've already read above you need to realign the shift gate and trans with all in neutral position to start with. Clean, lubricate, inspect for wear and loose components while your at it.
Get that SM download in post #2.
 
Loosen side cover bolts a few turns, have someone shift it into reverse. If cover moves upward then reverse pawl is interfering with 1/2 pawl. Even with the shouldered bolts mine was hitting. I loosened mine and moved cover a hair upward and solved this problem.
 
We took the shifter apart and noticed the reverse detent spring and plunger were frozen. We took them out, cleaned and put back in and it started to move but then the detent plunger would stick. I ordered new springs, and detent plunger. Once it ships, hopefully his will solve it.
 
Ok. Replaced the springs and reverse detent plunger in the shifter. We bolted the shifter in WITHOUT any linkage hooked up. The shifter moved into ALL gear positions. As soon as we hooked up the linkage, no reverse. Again, reverse can be moved into gear by hand but will absolutely not go into gear using the shifter.
 
I saw an episode of a car show where they had inadvertently put the rod in backwards and it would bind. Just a thought.

also are you sure the shifter is designed for the trans???
 
Dana67Dart said:
I saw an episode of a car show where they had inadvertently put the rod in backwards and it would bind. Just a thought.

also are you sure the shifter is designed for the trans???
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It’s not in backwards. The ends are distinctly different. HOWEVER, I would totally do something like that. I assume it’s the correct shifter? It’s a hurst.
 
Depending on model of Hurst shifter, some require pushing the shifter handle down to get into reverse.
 
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