Stock Vega 4 spd shifting problems

[74Vega]

my 1974 vega has the stock engine and transmission i pulled them out a long time ago and to do a v8 swap but that was a bust so i went back the stock 4 banger. so i installed the engine and tranny back in but now that i put the shifter back it doesnt seem to wanna go into the reverse gear anymore. some help would be great thanks

[cjbiagi]

Are you sure you have the linkage connected properly and properly adjusted? There is a procedure to adjust all the linkage rods with the shifter in neutral. You can also disconnect the reverse rod from the trans and with the trans in neutral see if you can manually put the transmission in reverse by moving the shift arm on the trans. You need to diagnose whether it's a shifter issue or a trans issue. Of course be careful under the car with the trans in neutral as it can roll easily.

[74Vega]

i dont think its a trans issue because before i pulled it out it went into all gears no problem i didnt know if it was in neutral or not and i dont know which link is the reverse. ill have to pull them off again it was such a pain to put it on

[cjbiagi]

There is a notch in the shifter body where you install a locating pin (usually a 1/4" drill bit works well or a large nail. Then with the pin in position and the shift rods disconnected you make sure the trans is in neutral. Now you adjust the rod lengths to slip into the arms on the trans. Remove the pin and it should be adjusted properly. By the way, the nail in the pic is too small, it needs to be larger.

[74Vega]

ohh maybe i missed putting that pin i dont remember taking it off but tomorrow im gonna pull the linkages off and redo them cuz im getting close to getting it running again. thanks for the info ill let you guys know how it goes tomorrow

[cjbiagi]

Remember the pin is just temporary for alignment purposes. It locks the shifter in neutral while you adjust the rod lengths to easily slip into the transmission arms (make sure the trans is in neutral in all gears). Then remove the pin and see how it shifts.

[74Vega]

ok i took the shifter and linkages off i think the little links were flipped the wrong way. now i think i know whats going on. im gonnaa give it a shot and see how it goes

[74Vega]

alright! so i took the shifter out again and reconnected everything and stuck a hex key that fit perfectly through the holes i made sure everything was in neutral and i finally got it right after about 4 tries because i kept forgetting something in each try. now alls i have to do is fix the fuel pump and it should be able to go. So anyways thank you all for you support and info you guys were a great help!

[cjbiagi]

Great, glad you got it adjusted and working well.