Can't find 4th or 5th gear Options

[Joec]

My car has been totally restored with 1 last problem which we can't seem to solve. We believe it is a shift rod adjustment problem but after a ton of time we can't figure it out. Reverse, 1st, 2nd, 3rd no problem, but regardless what we do no 4th or 5th. The transmission was rebuilt so assuming it was done correctly, all the bushings were replaced, the rod seems solid with no play. Could something be assembled wrong at the transmission? We have read all the different solutions and tried all to no avail, we have yet to see 4th or 5th working. Failing that, only solution is to send to a shop which most likely will have little experince with a 914 so who knows what they will do. Suggestions?

[brant]

most likely linkage.

disconnect the linkage (shift rod) and see if you can manually move the shift console on the transmission into each gear. if so... sounds like it is not internal to the transmission. There are threads and instructions on this site about how to set the shift linkage adjustment correctly to solve this problem. look for DR. Evil posts or instructions on this task...

I've done it for 40 years by feel and adjustment.
but there is a new tool sold by CFR (chris foley racing)
his shop (Tangerine Racing) just recently started making a fixture you can buy and temp mount to help with shifter adjustment if the old fashioned way isnt working.

I'd bet that you can do this adjustment the old fashioned way once you find the Dr. Evil instructions for the technique.


brant

[SirAndy]

most likely linkage.
disconnect the linkage (shift rod) and see if you can manually move the shift console on the transmission into each gear. if so... sounds like it is not internal to the transmission. There are threads and instructions on this site about how to set the shift linkage adjustment correctly to solve this problem. look for DR. Evil posts or instructions on this task...
I've done it for 40 years by feel and adjustment.
but there is a new tool sold by CFR (chris foley racing)
his shop (Tangerine Racing) just recently started making a fixture you can buy and temp mount to help with shifter adjustment if the old fashioned way isnt working.
I'd bet that you can do this adjustment the old fashioned way once you find the Dr. Evil instructions for the technique.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Like Brant said, disconnect the rod at the rear and try to shift gears directly by hand at the selector console. That will eliminate (or not) the transmission itself.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

[emerygt350]

If you don't have it adjusted correctly where the shift rod and the stick meet you can end up with that. I know when I pulled mine apart and put it back together I had to work with the linkage right where the stick goes in.

[dax1969]

Did you perhaps install new seatbelts ? Bolt on the new available seatbelts (connection on the tunnel) is too long and interferes with the clutch cable in the tunnel.
Ask me how I know (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

greetings
Dax

[Shivers]

My car has been totally restored with 1 last problem which we can't seem to solve. We believe it is a shift rod adjustment problem but after a ton of time we can't figure it out. Reverse, 1st, 2nd, 3rd no problem, but regardless what we do no 4th or 5th. The transmission was rebuilt so assuming it was done correctly, all the bushings were replaced, the rod seems solid with no play. Could something be assembled wrong at the transmission? We have read all the different solutions and tried all to no avail, we have yet to see 4th or 5th working. Failing that, only solution is to send to a shop which most likely will have little experince with a 914 so who knows what they will do. Suggestions?

Hi Joe. I do not see the year of the car. This does not always matter, people do trans conversions and swaps around here. But from 1973 on, the trans was different. The way it was set up to shift. And the way you adjust 4-5th back into the mix.
Do you have a tail shift or a side shift? If you are not sure post up pictures Nice car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[PanelBilly]

https://youtube.com/watch?v=m-vjTcmaop4&...d6aG6EZFFH8Hcpu

This might help you understand the relationship between the gears and the location of the linkage

[Joec]

The car is a 1974 2.0. I have tried the Dr Evil suggestion, the Pelican suggestion and the Tangerine suggestion with still nothing for 4th or 5th. The clutch tube is solid., although will check as new seat belts were installed but I think same bolts as original so shouldn't be pushing on the clutch tube.

[NARP74]

I thought the seat belt bolt actually interferes with the shift rod if it is too long, in the 4/5 plane IIRC. On the drivers side, left hand drive vehicles.

[Joec]

Apparently new bolts came with the seat belts, perhaps too long, I will check.

[emerygt350]

Have you tried pulling out the shaft at the stick and turning it so you get more movement in the 4-5 direction?

[Joec]

Wasn't a seat belt bolt issue. The difference between 2-3 and 4-5 seem so similar hard to imagine how this will work. I tried putting the shift lever in the 4-5 plane and with grips rotated the shaft clockwise but very little rotation as I see and still no 4-5, even though when going into reverse sometimes that is 2nd, still no 4-5.

[Jack Standz]

Try pulling back the rubber boot that covers the connection between the shift rods (under the car). There is a connection between the two rods that is held together with a conical setscrew. If this isn't tight, the one rod turns inside the other one and you'll never get it to work.

Recently had this problem. Use a new setscrew.

[ClayPerrine]

Has it worked at all since the transmission rebuild?

The re-builder could have mis-adjusted the rods inside the transmission. If they are out of position, it won't engage into gear properly.

The only solution is to pull the gear stack readjust it. I have a cutaway transmission case I use for it. That way I can put the shift console in and make 100% sure that all the gears engage when moving the arm on the shift console.