HURST V-Gate 2 shifter problems

I just finished installing a 383 into my 68 barracuda coupe with an 833. I am using the V-gate 2 shifter. I built the car for drag racing and the occasional blast on the street. My problem is that I am having a hell of a time finding 2nd gear when I race.
It also has a hayes flywheel with a centerforce dual friction clutch. The setup works great when it works, but a little frustrating otherwise.
I have only had it out for 2 race weekends, but I have had about 20 passes on it and only 2 times was I successful in finding 2nd.
Has anyone had problems with this shifter? I see that it is not available anymore from Hurst or Jeg etc.

Any help will be appreciated.

hi, I tried one few years ago. I has same problems. couldn't seem to get 2 nd gear every pass. tried adjusting shifter arms, etc. finally installed a super shifter 3 and it works flawlessly. i did shorten up the throw on arms, it moves only 3 1/2 inches total travel.

They're really picky about adjustment. Also, make sure that the bushings are all intact. I had one disintegrate over a period of a few months and tracking down the problem drove me to the brink of insanity. I seriously thought about cutting the ends off of the rods and threading them for heim joints. I may think of some other stuff. Remembering what I ate for lunch is sometimes a triumph.

On the upside: once it is dialed-in, there's nothing like it. 8)

I forgot to mention I installed a track pak kit so there are new steel bushings and clips. The linkages were a little sloppy so we welding them and re filed them to fit. I tried adjusting them etc but had no luck so far. I have installed the shifter neutral alingnment pin and set up the shifter. but it seems a little sloppy in the mechanism itself.

Thanks for the replys

It seems like I had success with lightly preloading the shifter handle toward the 1st gear position (trigger up) while adjusting. I remember a large rubber band being involved in the final adjustment. This may have been caused by my having to relocate two of the holes on the mounting plate to avoid punching the radio through the heater box when grabbing 3rd, but you might end up going a turn one way or the other from where the 1-2 rod wants to be to get it where it really needs to be.

I wish I still had the thing. It'd be easier if it were in my hands than drawing from a horribly fragmented memory.