No Reverse Gear

[gjz30075]

Gary, any news?

[archigator]

I reinstalled the lever this morning and we're in business! Thanks everyone for all of your help.
I love it when a relatively simple fix resolves what could have been a much more complicated resolution.
I'm back on the road... even backwards! Thanks!

Gary
'71 Sprint FHC
Miami, Florida

[gjz30075]

So what was the fix?

[archigator]

I'm not quite sure what the real cause was, as it still doesn't operate as it did originally. It's a concerted effort to get it out of reverse once engaged, and in engaging reverse I have to give it several tries before it does engage. But it does engage eventually.

I think perhaps the shifter may have "shifted" somewhat from being 90-degrees true, due to the bushing in the shifter knob having given a bit, and the proper angle for the throw into reverse may have been affected. I changed out the gasket under the shifter cap for a 0.016" gasket, but I think that probably has no real bearing on the situation.

Regardless, I learned a little bit about what's "down the mysterious hole" in my transmission shifter, and I'm happy that I can back out of the driveway and enjoy my Sunday drives once more. Thanks for the help everyone.

Gary
'71 Sprint FHC
Miami, Florida

[TroonSprint]

To hijack this thread ever so slightly, my gearbox goes into reverse OK, but needs the lever to be knocked firmly to come out of it. Any suggestions?

Mike

[archigator]

Replacing my original plastic shifter cap, I inadvertantly stripped the lower threads on it. So I ordered an aluminum replacement cap from rd Enterprises; it works like a charm. One interesting thing that I noticed was how different the profiles are, with the rd Ent cap being a much lower profile. I must say though that I prefer the aluminum cap, especially when popping the gear into reverse. I feel that it will take a little more abuse, and the aluminum threads give it a more solid bite. (I think the lower profile cap throws the theory about gasket thickness out the window as well.)


Gary
'71 Sprint FHD
Miami, Florida

[Craven]

Hi,
May be of interest, an early steel cap later changed to plastic. A later lever ball made in plastic, Ford clearly ? played ? around with various combination over the years mainly I think to reduce gear sizzle, Lotus attempts were to fit an isolation bush in the lever its self.
Ron.