Shifter Won't Go Into Gear - Need Advice

[Russ T.]

Car is 1967 327-350 HP, Muncie 4-spd.

Lost 3 gears driving home, but was able to make it
into my garage in 3rd gear. The next day checked
shifter travel and everything seemed OK, very
smooth.

Started motor and shifter wouldn't go into any gear.
Shut off motor and shifter travelled freely again and
seemed normal. Checked linkage underneath and everything
is OK.

Realize that there are other things to consider: clutch, pressure
plate, throwout bearing, etc. Probably will have to drop
transmission and check it out. All parts were replaced several
years ago and have ~7500 miles on them.

Any advice as to what the problem could be and
where to start looking? Thanks in advance.

Russ Trotter (#15044)

[John M.]

Re: Shifter Won't Go Into Gear - Need Advice

Grab your clutch fork and wiggle it around to see how much play is in it. Sometimes the clips break that attach the Clutchfork to the pivot ball which dosen't give you the leverage you need to engage the clutch.

If the clips broke, it should be obvious when you move it around.

If your linkage is good it's likely within your Fork, pivot, throw out area.

Verify the clutch adjustment also just because it wasn't mentioned.

[Donald L.]

Re: Shifter Won't Go Into Gear - Need Advice

Had a similar incident a few months ago. Coming off a stop I tried to shift into 2nd gear and it would not go in easily. Turns out a spring in the pressure plate broke and would not allow the clutch to disengage. So if the linkage seems to work to the clutch push rod fork area you have a problem inside the bellhousing.

[Jim T.]

Re: Shifter Won't Go Into Gear - Need Advice

Russ you mentioned checking the linkage underneath the car, not familiar with the connection, however can the linkage to the clutch pedal be the problem? Is it connected? Does the linkage move underneath the car when the clutch pedal is pushed down?

[Russ T.]

Re: Shifter Won't Go Into Gear - Need Advice

Conclusion:

After pulling the transmission, found that clutch fork had separated from
throw-out bearing. Clutch and pressure plate were in great shape.

Further investigation revealed that the end of the Z-bar (next to the block) had fractured and separated from the ball stud. This is probably
what caused the separation of the clutch fork from the throw-out
bearing.

Russ