MGB

Have a '78/L82/4spd. that does not want to go into or out of reverse. The car has around 78K miles on it and the drive train is original. I think there is some adverse wear on the transmission since I hear a little more noise in 1st. through 3rd. than I think there should be, 4th. gear is absolutely quite. The thing just does not like to go into or out of reverse. Of course I can get it to but it takes a bit of coaxing like keeping more than necessary tension on the shifter toward the left with the reverse lockout assembly held up. Does this sound like a worn shifter? and if so, what are the alternatives like adjustments etc.. I want to stay with original equipment instead of aftermarket. Any thoughts???? :confused:

Captain Morgan

Sounds to me like the reverse lockout might be broken.

Do you shift into another gear before trying to put it into reverse? Sometimes that helps. But if the lockout is broken or worn, you will need to replace it.

MGB

Thanks Captain. Any more thoughts or opinions on problems shifting into/out of reverse? Corvette America has a shifter repair kit. Thoughts about it? Does the transmission have to be out to install the kit? Surely, someone else has experienced this. Any comments from vendors? Thanks
'78/L82/4spd. Still :confused: :confused:

mvftw

My '78 L82 4spd also sometimes gets stuck in reverse. I just force it out. I think it's in the rods...I haven't looked into it yet.

FeedVaal

I'm chasing a similar problem right now. First, you need to confirm the shifter is adjusted correctly. The Haynes manual has a drawing of the adjusting lockout you need to make and insert into the shifter to prevent it from moving while you adjust the rods. Odds are your first and reverse gear are fighting each other due to a small misadjustment.

28buick

Does the 78 have reverse tied into the ignition lock. My 75 had a cable so you couldn't remove the ignition key unless the car was in reverse. Removing the cable between reverse and the steering column made shifting into reverse a whole lot smother.

Larry B.

There is a back drive cable that goes from the reverse arm on the trans to a lever on the steering column.You have to have the trans in reverse in order to remove the key. tTis can get out of adjustment and make putting the trans in reverse difficult or maybe it could jam up so you can't get it into reverse at all.


[Modified by bluevetteman, 3:49 PM 3/25/2004]

mvftw

Not on a '78 or atleast not on mine...

MGB

Nope, don't have a cable between reverse and the steering column on mine. Thanks for the input. More???

MGB

I think that cable mentioned is called an "interlock cable", but the '78's don't have it. thanks