1965 Reverse Lock out

[Dave N.]

I have a 1965 4 speed M21 Corvette and the reverse lock out on the shifter is not working, meaning I can hit reverse without pulling up on the spring loaded lockout on the shifter. I understand there is an adjustment for this and would like to know how to do this. Any help would be appreciated.

Dave

[John H.]

Re: 1965 Reverse Lock out

Dave -

Chances are the rod (connected to the T-handle) has broken at the bottom of the lever where it bears against the screw that determines the gate width, allowing full lateral swing of the lever. Most of the usual vendors have replacement T-handles/rods. Photo attached that shows the bottom of the lockout rod protruding from the lever.

[Dave N.]

Re: 1965 Reverse Lock out

Thanks John, very helpful

[Grant M.]

Re: 1965 Reverse Lock out

John,

I am experiencing a different problem that perhaps you can help with. The rod connected to my (original) T-handle broke at the base of the handle and I bought a replacement (repro) T-handle. Now however, with the shift knob screwed fully on, the T-handle apparently doesn't lift the rod high enough to allow a shift into reverse. If I partially (1/4-1/2 inch) unscrew the shift knob, the T-handle apparently lifts far enough. Comparing the old rod to the new, I can't see any real length difference, so I'm loathe to trim the rod by some amount (1/4-1/2 inch), but maybe that's what I need to do, unless you could recommend another source of the problem or fix?

Thanks,

grant

[John H.]

Re: 1965 Reverse Lock out

John,

I am experiencing a different problem that perhaps you can help with. The rod connected to my (original) T-handle broke at the base of the handle and I bought a replacement (repro) T-handle. Now however, with the shift knob screwed fully on, the T-handle apparently doesn't lift the rod high enough to allow a shift into reverse. If I partially (1/4-1/2 inch) unscrew the shift knob, the T-handle apparently lifts far enough. Comparing the old rod to the new, I can't see any real length difference, so I'm loathe to trim the rod by some amount (1/4-1/2 inch), but maybe that's what I need to do, unless you could recommend another source of the problem or fix?

Thanks,

grant

Grant -

If the bottom of the T-handle tube is seating properly on the top of the round portion of the lever, I'd shorten the bottom end of the rod enough so it clears the setscrew when the T-handle is pulled up.

[Grant M.]

Re: 1965 Reverse Lock out

John,

Thanks very much, I'll try that.

grant

[Mike T.]

Re: 1965 Reverse Lock out

30 years ago I had problems with mine, and I pulled too hard and broke an ear off the T-handle. Bought a repop. Noticed it didn't have an allen screw adjustment in the T-handle. Called all the suppliers, and they said they never saw one with an allen screw adjustment.
I was pretty confident my T-handle was original, because my 65 is all original, with even the original spark plug wires.
I kept my original with the broken ear, and made the adjustment with the allen screw. Now it works great.
For 25 years, I've been trying to verify if my 65 has the original T-handle, (with the allen screw adjustment). Saw only one other one in all that time, until Bloomington this year. I saw 3 65's that had the small allen screw adjustment in the T-handle. Now I'm certain mine is original and correct.
Maybe part of your trouble could be related to the allen screw adjustment, or the lack there of.

[Michael H.]

Re: 1965 Reverse Lock out

I was pretty confident my T-handle was original, because my 65 is all original, with even the original spark plug wires.

Mike,

I'm pretty sure all 65's and probably early 66 used the reverse release handle with a hole and allen screw.
The part number changed some time around early 66 production.
The handle for late 66 and all of 67 did not have the hole. All service replacement handles since late 1966 did not have the hole.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1965 Reverse Lock out

. ....Called all the suppliers, and they said they never saw one with an allen screw adjustment.
I was pretty confident my T-handle was original, because my 65 is all original, with even the original spark plug wires.
I kept my original with the broken ear, and made the adjustment with the allen screw. Now it works great.

For 25 years, I've been trying to verify if my 65 has the original T-handle, (with the allen screw adjustment). Saw only one other one in all that time, until Bloomington this year. I saw 3 65's that had the small allen screw adjustment in the T-handle. Now I'm certain mine is original and correct. .....

Let me add my 2 cents to this: here's two views of the ones that are in my '65's. Can't be the originals to the cars, as they both had Hurst shifters when I purchased them 21 and 29 years ago (didn't they all, back then ? ). I picked these up at various swap meets shortly after I bought the cars -- didn't notice the differences, nor did I care at that time. The top/right T handle has the set screw and a thin shaft with a larger "inhibitor pin" end. The other has a rod that continues the thick part up to near the top, where it reduces to fit through the hole -- it is then flared to ensure it doesn't drop out.

From the little info I have, I'm guessing that the '64-5 had the screws and the '66-7 did not. This detail is not mentioned in the '65 TIM&JG, and probably isn't in the others, either. I do not have the benefit of '64, '66 or '67 AIM's or TIM&JG's to verify this.

Noland covers a bit of it in discussing the changes in the 1964 units, but nowhere near the detail given in a 4-page Tech Service Bulletin #1031 (Sept 8, 1964) [which I have] discussing the 1964 shift lever revisions, which would also apply to the 1965 version, if there were no further changes.

There's a second TSB which I DON'T have; #66-10 "Reverse Lockout Mechanism Revised (4-speed Transmission) - 1966 Corvette". Dated 11-29-65. Anybody out there got it ?

I suspect (from reading P&A30B parts books) that the screw type T-handle is part # 3853136, and was changed sometime in the '66 model year to 3901033 (no screw ??). The earlier # was no longer available in service as of 3-67.

[Tim G.]

Re: 1965 Reverse Lock out

Dave,

I recently had the same problem with my '65 shifter. Stoplights were an interesting experience as I'm sure you've discovered. John is correct, a new one from a vendor corrected the problem. It doesn't have the screw as does the original, but I kept the original and I'm enjoying driving the car again.