Hambers, I have rebuilt the shifter and have the linkage adjusted correctly but have a lot of slop (mostly finding 1st). I noticed that some of the linkage does not have the spring clips - only a washer and cotter pin. It looks like the spring clips hold some back pressure on the linkage? Is this the problem and can I get the spring clips at any parts house? Thanks!
The clips that go on the ends of the shifter rods? Yeah those clips are standard issue Hurst parts so you can get them at a parts house. Might not help your problem though, but cheap enough to be worth a try. Thinking back to the last ones I bought, they were from Mr. Gasket
You can get those clips at a speed shop but they really won't help. Sounds like the shift forks or detent in the trany are worn.
I find most times on customer cars with 833 boxes that the nut on the fork backs off because the rectangle plate with the long slot has rounded out ,when this happens I use a star washer behind the nut and some loctite . cheers
And remember that the end all solution for linkage is tubular links with heim ends. Plan about $100 to do it right.
Ok guys, bare with me. I'm sorry I should have told you that it is a mid 70's so if I understand it, it will have the interlocking lever design instead of the ball and detent. So what now should I be looking for?
Check this out and also make sure your levers are the correct ones. Ive seen homemade levers on the trans that are too long and dont travel the correct distance, thus not completely going into gear.
Common wear on most any old shifter set up. If that's what's wrong, I build up the worn rectangular hole, then file it to fit good. That star washer deal will work if the shift body has adjustable stops. If a shifter has no stops, as you cram it in gear, the nut will loosen again if the hole is worn like a bow-tie shape. But, finding the cause of slop should be very visable; have someone just barely move the shifter back and forth and see what is not starting to move, as soon as the stick lever starts to move
Is the shifter sloppy or is it the linkage? Linkage loose on the shift levers on the trans or shifter? Could you have missed a shim in the shifter. You use to be able to get a bushing kit from Hurst for the linkage.
Pretty sure it's the linkage that connects to the shift plates on the trans. I took the shifter apart and inspected, cleaned, and greased everything. Could it be from sitting? I have noticed that reverse was a little difficult but is now easy.