Shifter question

[plumcrazzy]

'70 Challenger R/T---440 Six-Pack---pistol grip shifted 4-speed with console. 1.  The shifter has always been a little tough to get into reverse. Not impossible, just a little harder than I think it should be. Find neutral, slap hard towards the left and shove forward. Have never had a failure to go into reverse but this just seems a little excessive. I have always heard that this is by design to prevent an accidental shift into reverse but am not sure I believe that story.  2.  On occasion, while cruising, the shifter will pop out of fourth gear. Never under hard acceleration but just under normal highway speed driving. I usually have my right hand resting on the shifter and can just pull it back into fourth and continue to enjoy the drive but surely this can be remedied.  Looking for opinions/assistance/suggestions. Thanks in advance.     

[70chall440]

sounds like the shifter is a little worn and/or out of adjustment some, however it could be something more mechanical internal to the trans (I will let the trans guys speak to this). In reference to resting your hand on the shifter, I was always told not to do this as it applies pressure to the synchros and can cause damage.

[73440]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpSjYcILWp4

some info on the A833

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=117

more topics from MTSC

[plumcrazzy]

So, no comments regarding shifting into reverse? Normal? Not normal? Just wondering.

[Bullitt-]

So, no comments regarding shifting into reverse? Normal? Not normal? Just wondering.

I'll just say that of the many manual vehicles I have driven and having owned several that reverse seems to take extra effort.
I've found that after coming to a stop to shift into 1st gear for a second before trying for Reverse makes most easier.. 

[70chall440]

My experience with them is that Reverse is normally a little tough to hit unless everything is set up really well and nothing is wore out.

[Moparal]

From my experience, this is what I know and do.   There are a couple of specific bolts with shoulders on them for line ups. They are required.  If you have a known good shifter, and know how to adjust it correctly, then have the correct clips that hold the levers to the pods and bars correctly then you also have a very small adjust play in the side plate which affects the gear shifting. It can cause reverse to go in hard or not at all, and also cause it to jump out of a forward gear. All this will happen with only about a .032 move in the plate. Usually because of a worn out internal part like a fork. But if you were to check this, while the trans was out, you would see what I mean. After playing these cars for 40 years I have learned the little irritations that make people let them go for bargain prices.

[Chryco Psycho]

there is a second spring inside the shifter that adds the load into reverse , if you clean out all of the hardened grease & dirt & re lube it I bet it will work smooth again

[plumcrazzy]

Thanks gentlemen---I do appreciate the information.   

[dakota]

My 4 speed was hanging up going into reverse too, so I rebuilt the shift head.  The folks at Brewers Performance indicated that the replacement shim that they sell will address a flaw with the original design that impacts going into reverse.   There is some additional information here:

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=95985.60

[73440]

I'll just say that of the many manual vehicles I have driven and having owned several that reverse seems to take extra effort.
I've found that after coming to a stop to shift into 1st gear for a second before trying for Reverse makes most easier.. 

I did that also with my 51 Ford PU and three on the tree.

[Cudakiller70]

 

[Moparparts]

Since you have a 70 and if it has all the correct pieces for the 4-speed trans interlock key removal system installed it may just be a matter of adjustment on the interlock crossshaft adjuster. Also with the interlock connected it will be less smooth going into reverse than one with-out because of turning the added levers and crossshaft.