Cannot engage 3rd and 4th gear ?? Help..

[Keith B.]

Just completed a top to bottom L-36 rebuild. Engine/bell housing was mated to M-21 with trans still in place. Just fired up a monster of a fresh new close to OEM rebuild 427.......BUT

Clutch goes up to 1st and down to second perfectly, lock out reverse works but she will not go over and up or down to 3rd or 4th. ALthough it does appear/feel that 3rd and 4th is over and below "N" with some slight engagement. ??

I did have the clutch linkages OFF when removing the engine and thought I had put them back on correctly, not sure if this my problem ??. M-21 was also freshly rebuilt 2 yrs ago, so it worked perfectly before I took out the 427. Clutch pedal engages freely when depressed and let out.

Any idea's...........much appreciated.

[Donald T.]

Re: Cannot engage 3rd and 4th gear ?? Help..

Keith,

I would check the shifter and rods first. Make sure the notches on the shifter all line up in neutral with a shifter adjustment gauge. The tang must be able to slide through the notches with the trans in neutral order in order to engage 3rd and 4th gear. I would guess this is where you will find the problem. Next I would also make sure the shift rods are adjusted properly as well.

Don

[Edward J.]

Re: Cannot engage 3rd and 4th gear ?? Help..

Keith, one other quick test is to take off the shifter rods one at a time off and manuelly move the shifter arms to see if they move freely (just use a 9/16 wrench). if they move you'll need a shifter adjustment.