Help! Cant get out of reverse! Manual, 73 charger

[euroZ06]

Hello all,

Ive been having an issue getting out of reverse (getting in can be tricky too), however today i just cant seem to get it out at all. Clutch is new, but my tranny mount is bad (scheduled to replace it in next few weeks). I have no issues with any other gears. I read somewhere that it can be due to to some side plate, but after reading instructions im a bit confused. Which bolts to untighten, what to tap, where etc...

Any ideas of whats wrong? If it is due to the plate, can someone explain it in layman's terms? Im new to working on this car.

[ACUDANUT]

I'm not a Layman, so I have no terms. Sorry no advice, but good luck.

[Cooter]

Sounds like shifter is out of adjustment, but then again, attempting to diagnose over internet is like trying to give you a haircut over the phone.

[John_Kunkel]

There is a Reverse interlock incorporated into the side cover, it prevents engaging Reverse while the trans is in any forward gear. The adjustment procedure depends on which side cover you have (they changed in '71)...is yours original?

First thing to do is disconnect all of the linkage rods and make sure both levers in the side cover are in Neutral, then use a large Crescent wrench and try to move the Reverse lever (the one in the case)....if it will move OK the problem is in the linkage but, if it won't move, the problem is in the interlock and the side cover needs adjustment.  

[euroZ06]

There is a Reverse interlock incorporated into the side cover, it prevents engaging Reverse while the trans is in any forward gear. The adjustment procedure depends on which side cover you have (they changed in '71)...is yours original?

First thing to do is disconnect all of the linkage rods and make sure both levers in the side cover are in Neutral, then use a large Crescent wrench and try to move the Reverse lever (the one in the case)....if it will move OK the problem is in the linkage but, if it won't move, the problem is in the interlock and the side cover needs adjustment.  

Im fairly certain the transmission is original to the car.

So, if i understood correctly, get it in neutral, then disconnect the linkage (from under the car). So, if problem is in linkage, do i need to replace it, or just need to repair it

[John_Kunkel]

If the problem is in the linkage it most likely just needs adjustment.

[HANDM]

My Cuda used to get "stuck" for lack of a better word and a quick jerk rather than just pulling would always get it out, new owner still has to do the same thing and yes the linkage is new and in perfect working order....... Trans needs a rebuild though....

[euroZ06]

Ok guys, i ordered new linkage for the reverse gear (the old one was just too bad). I had the car in neutral, installed the linkage, got inside the car and i couldnt get into 1st and 2nd. Also, i noticed that when i have the linkage disconnected and i put shifter in reverse, on the buttom (underneath the car) the tab moves back (rearward). This doesnt make sense, my reverse gear tab on the tranny is forward. What is wrong? When i have the shiftor in neutral, all the little tabs are aligned underneath the car, but when i go to put the shifter in reverse the tab moves rearward instead of forward. Im completely confused. Help!

[euroZ06]

Just read somewhere that on the tranny the reverse lever is forward to be in neutral. Is this correct? Mine is in neutral to the rear, and reverse is engaged when the lever is forward... How do i fix it?

[John_Kunkel]

Think about it; the shifter is a lever with a center pivot, when the top of the lever is moved forward (Reverse is forward on the stick) the bottom of the lever moves aft...since the trans lever is pointing up and rotates around a bottom pivot and the linkage rod attaches to the top of the trans lever, when the stick is moved forward the trans lever will move aft. Your shifter is working correctly.

Did you follow the advice to try the trans levers with the linkage disconnected? With the levers on the side cover in Neutral could you move the Reverse lever?

[euroZ06]

The lever on the transmission moves with no issues. When the lever is forward the car is in reverse (i.e i release the clutch and it drives back).

[euroZ06]

Think about it; the shifter is a lever with a center pivot, when the top of the lever is moved forward (Reverse is forward on the stick) the bottom of the lever moves aft...since the trans lever is pointing up and rotates around a bottom pivot and the linkage rod attaches to the top of the trans lever, when the stick is moved forward the trans lever will move aft. Your shifter is working correctly.

Did you follow the advice to try the trans levers with the linkage disconnected? With the levers on the side cover in Neutral could you move the Reverse lever?

I wonder if i can just reverse that tab on the transmission (if remember correctly the tab was facing down, and in a lot of pics i see it facing up... Im just curious how it would have shifted like that

[John_Kunkel]

All the levers on a non-OD 833 face up (linkage rod holes at the top).

[Cooter]

Some aftermarket (maybe even factory?) Shifters require pushing down on shifter handle.