tranny lock?

[Ed Wesner]

Hi David,

I'm new to all this cobra stuff i just picked up a unique with a fe 427 and a top nascar loader my question is in the 2 weeks ive had the car the transimission has sort of lockup not allowing me to enter any gear at all. I tried deperssing the clutch also tried all the gears, even rolling the car a few inches and still nothing. I also killed the engine and restarted it after a few embarrissing minutes it will eventually work into one but i might have to switch to kryptonite shifting linkage if this is a comnon thing Is this comnon? or is there a trick to this delema?.... Oh, by the way the tranny shifts fine other wise.

thanks Ed

[David Kee]

First check the shifter adjustment in neutral. The transmission shift rails, detents and interlock pin are the brains of the operation not the shifter control box. If one of the rods is adjusted to far one way the transmission thinks it is in gear and will not allow it to go into another. If one of the detent springs is broken the transmission may not shift to neutral all the way and cause the shifter to not be able to select any gear. Then after you move the shifter around things get back to position and it works again. It sounds complicated but it is really very simple.

[Ed Wesner]

what you say makes complete sense about the linkage I just got your post when hours before I came to the conclusion it was Linkage. The car locked again today ! so I reached under to see if the shift levers moved freely. Sure enough! You duh man! only one thing I would like to know..... is there any trick set up to enhance the shifting on the hurst linkage beyond proper adjustment? lubricant? bushings? I'm new to all this hot rod stuff, please excuse my remedial questions !! lol.. thank you for your time as it is much appreciated.


Ed

[David Kee]

With the transmission in neutral you should be able to put a pin through the alignment hole in all of the levers in the main control box. Sometimes one of the levers will be adjusted one way or the other to get the shifter to work properly. If one or more of the levers is way off it is most likely the problem. The Hurst Competition is a fairly economical, long lasting shifter. You should not have to re-lubricate it very often. The only real option they have for them is metal bushings to go in place of the nylon ones on the rod ends.