I have 69 el camino, 350sb. 4 sp muncie M-21. Since I bought it it has gotten stuck in third 3 times. the first time i worked its way out, just driving around. the second time i had to take to a mechanic who adjusted the linkages. now here i am again.

my question is any ideas on what would cause this to happen repeatedly? this was originally a automatic, column shift converted to 4 on the floor. any thoughts i would appreciate.

also, how do you adjust the linkage arms? i don't want to keep paying to have this done and want to make sure its done right.

thanks

The usual problem with these is that the bolt that holds the levers to the actual shift arms works loose. I am talking about the little levers on the drivers side of the tranny.
To adjust the shifter u will need a 1/4 inch rod approximately 2 1/2 inches long (broken 1/4 bit works perfect). In the center of the shifter body is a hole it will fit through. Take all the levers lose and move the shift plates until the 1/4 shaft goes all the way through. Adjust the rods until they go back in the holes without any forcing. Remove the 1/4 rod and you are good to go. First time should only take you a couple of hours - most spent trying to find what I am talking about. Second time about ten minutes including putting it on stands and letting it down. Sorry I don't have any pictures.

When this happens, are you trying to shift: 3-2 or 3-4? Typically when this happens, the linkage does not fully pull out of one gear before trying to engage another.

Sounds like worn linkage and or tranny gears--try some locktite (i like the red one not blue seems to hold better) on the nuts holding the linkage tight--could be the snycro gears might be worn -:dontknow: glenn

:dontknow:Maybe a bent Shifter Fork. Just a guess.:poke:

i appreciate all the feedback. i will try to get it working Saturday and let you know how it turns out.

thanks a lot

to be honest i am strugglin to remember. seems like twice i was pulling in to park, in neutral, tried to put in first as i turned the engine off. pumped gas and when i started her back up i'm in third. first time i thought i was stuck in first but realized it was third when i tried to drive away. now that i think about it all three times were after coming to a stop. it's never happened while driving down the road.

I'm betting the shifter is worn out----there are shims in there that take up the slack to a point but when they start hanging up its time for a rebuild or replacement.................Dan

went to tighten the nuts on 1/2 and 3/4 and it popped right out. it looks like when it is neutral, the pins that hold the shift arms to the linkages interfere with each other. i apolgize for not knowing the correct terminology. it has a hurst 4sp shifter. i need a good diagram for these... could be the guy i bought it from put one in backwards? wife was so shocked when she saw me driving around the yard she almost cried:)