Toploader Lockup

[cdmalo]

Sometimes (more often than not) when I shift from 2nd to 3rd the shifter locks up in neutral and I can't get it into any gear. I stop the car and after a lot of moving the shift handle around I get it to free up. Anyone have any ideas as to what the problem may be?

Charlie Malo
[email]mforh@aol.com

[Bernica]

I guess start with the basics and check for shifter linkage binding and adjustment and make sure your clutch is fully engaging. Also, you might want to give Dave Kee a call for his suggestions.

[cdmalo]

The clutch is fully engaging for certain.

[ScratchBuilder]

Has it always had this problem? I had same problem and found one of the lockout dowels was missing and are comonly left out when rebuilt. Put the part in from David Kee and never happend again. Could also be linkage.

SB

[Bernica]

Some guys have also found that the "dog ears" on the trans that connect to the linkage are backwards or in the wrong locations. Just something to look at...

[DanEC]

Since shaking the shifter seems to remedy it I would suspect the neutral gate needs to be adjusted on the shifter. Are you familar with this? Do you have a Ford shifter or a Hurst shifter? On my Toploader's Hurst shifter I find the largest allen wrench that will fit in the alignment slot.

[blykins]

That's where I would start to.....hop under the car and do a shifter alignment.

[cdmalo]

It hasn't always had this problem, it's fairly recent. I have a Hurst shifter and now I just have to check the adjustment. I may change the nylon bushings on the rods to steel ones to tighten it up some.

Thanks all!

[DanEC]

Yes, if you have the nylon bushings I would change them although it won't make a world of difference unless the nylon ones are real worn. To adjust a Hurst shifter, disconnect the rods, preferably at the shifter with the transmission in neutral. Keep all of the shifter levers in neutral position and search out the hole in the side of the shifter case for inserting a gage pin. I use the largest allen wrench I have that will fit - but anything will work that fits pretty snug. Wiggle it and the shifter arms to get it through all the shifter levers and into the hole on the opposite side of the case. Then with all the transmission shift levers in neutral (hope you started out that way - it's easier) adjust the length of each rod to where it will slip perfectly back into the lever it was disconnected from. It should shift fine after that.

[cdmalo]

Thanks Dan, much appreciated!

Charlie