Spitfire Spitfire 1500 OD transmission

[Mr_SfireB6]

I have a complete transmission with J-type overdrive from I think a '76 Spitfire. On trial shifting, I find that the shift pattern is closer together than on the 4 speed without OD. Also,the reverse lock-out is not working making it very easy to shift to reverse when you are intending to go to 3rd as reverse is extremely close to 3rd. I took the top off of the transmission and all the parts seem to be there and working properly. Any of you know if there is a reverse lock-out on these transmissions? If yes,any ideas as to why this one is not working.

 

[Andrew Mace]

I don't have much experience with the single-rail gearbox, but I do seem to remember that -- normally -- one needs to lift up the gear lever to get it into reverse? or maybe it's a push-down or a healthy slap? Anyway, there should be some sort of detent that would normally prevent selection of reverse.

 

[Mr_SfireB6]

On this model,you normally lift up on the shift knob,push it to the right and up for reverse. But,on this transmission, there is no resistance when going to reverse. You don't have to lift up on the shift knob or anything. Also,I find that reverse is a bit closer to 3rd in the shift pattern than on my standard 4 speed transmission. So,anyone who might know a solution to this problem,please let me know.

 

[billspit]

Oddly enough mine won't go into reverse at all. It should be up, over left and forward for reverse. There are two pins that hold the cover that retains the shifter handle. You may need a "shifter kit or these pins repalce. There are more than one pin available and it gets difficult trying to pinpoint whish pins you need. Mine would not go into reverse when I used the correct ones. I filed one down and got it to work OK unitl recently. I just haven't been able to open it back up to look.

 

[Mr_SfireB6]

I was wondering about those pins. On this one,the pin on the right side comes through about 1/4 inch into where the shifter fits down into the hole and engages the shift linkage. The left side does not come through at all and only serves as a latch pin to secure the shifter lever. Do you remember if the pin on the left side is supposed to go all the way through?

 

[billspit]

Sorry. I do not recall. I may be revisiting this when I get motivated to look at it again since this is what my problem is. Its just too blasted hot in the garage right now.

 

[Rhodyspit75]

On my 75 non O/D trans the left pin had worked out and was only securing the cover and not going into the slot in the shifter ball. The result was when I lifted up on the shifter to go in reverse the shifter would float around.
I tapped the pin further into the housing until it went into the grove and now the shifter works fine.
From memory the pins are nothing special I believe just a standard split pin.

 

[Mr_SfireB6]

OK,I understand "too hot" for it's too hot here also. I do think we may be on to something because I have a old "broken" shift lever from a '79 w/o overdrive that I just compaired to the overdrive shift lever. I found that the big ball on the lower part of the lever on the '79 w/o only has a slot cut for those pins on the right side. However, the '76 w/overdrive shift lever has a slot cut on both sides for those pins. So,I'm thinking that for the overdrive transmissions,the pins are suppose to engage the shift ball a little from each side.

 

[Bakerman8888]

On my 75 non O/D trans the left pin had worked out and was only securing the cover and not going into the slot in the shifter ball. The result was when I lifted up on the shifter to go in reverse the shifter would float around.
I tapped the pin further into the housing until it went into the grove and now the shifter works fine.
From memory the pins are nothing special I believe just a standard split pin.

Thank you for this post! This is exactly what was going on with my 75 single-rail. When I lifted the shifter and pushed up and right it would flip all over; once I brought it back down to the forward gears it was fine. When I popped the doghouse, I saw the 2 pins; the one on the right was out about a quarter inch. I opened the retainer, pushed the pin in all the way, relocked the retainer and all was well. I ran a thin strip of duct tape around the pins to prevent future walking out. Thanks for this; I was searching everywhere for some sort of direction before ripping stuff apart; it was more work dealing with the crappy carpet the PO put down than anything else.

 

[Rhodyspit75]

Glad I was able to help. That post is almost 11 years old.