'57 4 speed shifter problem

[Richard H.]

I hope somebody can help me with a minor problem.

I recently bought a '57 that originally came with a 3 speed trans. One of the previous owners (decades ago)
swapped it out for a Borg Warner 4 speed and a C1 shifter (pencil type with no reverse lock-out).

My problem is it's very hard to tell the difference between 1st gear and reverse when I'm at a stop.

There is no "spring loaded" force of any type to let me know I'm trying to get the car into reverse.

Isn't there some way you should be able to tell you are going into reverse??

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Rick

[Mike E.]

Re: '57 4 speed shifter problem

There should be a spring on the cross shaft on the shifter under the rubber shifter boot. Usually a coiled spring, occasionally a u-shaped metal spring (although those are usually on the earlier three speeds). Check for its presence and whether or not it is intact and functional. It should make you pull against it to get into reverse.

[Richard H.]

Re: '57 4 speed shifter problem

There should be a spring on the cross shaft on the shifter under the rubber shifter boot. Usually a coiled spring, occasionally a u-shaped metal spring (although those are usually on the earlier three speeds). Check for its presence and whether or not it is intact and functional. It should make you pull against it to get into reverse.

Thanks for the help Mike!

[Ray K.]

Re: '57 4 speed shifter problem

Richard,

If you have a Paragon or other Corvette parts supplier catalog take a look as there maybe an illustration of the spring arrangement on the shaft.

Ray

[Richard H.]

Re: '57 4 speed shifter problem

Richard,

If you have a Paragon or other Corvette parts supplier catalog take a look as there maybe an illustration of the spring arrangement on the shaft.

Ray

Thanks Ray, I do have a few catalogs. I'll be removing the rubber boot as Mike suggested and will check the diagrams in the catalogs I have.
It feels as though there is no spring in there right now,
Thanks to both of you for your help!