4 Speed HELP

[band1t]

I put a Muncie M22 in my trans am every with all new guts along with new Hurst shifter gate
and rods. I set the gate and rod up correct even had them check by a shop cause did
want to screw it up. I took the car out and Huston we have a problem, some times I can hit
all 4 gears other times it wont go into 3rd or 4th it feels like I am pushing up against a wall.
I have put a lot of force trying to push it into 3rd but scared the shifter will break and my fist will go into the dash.

I jacked the car up to check my rods and the 1st and 2 gear rod was loose. I unhooked it
from the gate to see if its the gate or tranny. Its the trans.

any tips on how to fix it????

[BuzzKillian]

Make sure your 1-2 lever is in the neutral position. Then you should be able to shift in 3-4. Your linkage probably came loose and left it in 2nd and would not allow you to get into 3rd. I have had this happen a couple of times. A little blue loctite on the linkage lever bolts should stop this problem.

[andrewb70]

It is also entirely possible that your clutch is not fully releasing. Do you have an inspection cover on the bottom of your bellhousing?

Andrew

[band1t]

I took a picture from google to show you guys what I am talking about
the thing circled in BLUE(which is 1st and 2nd)
I can wiggle back and forth.
the thing I circled in YELLOW(which is 3rd and 4th)
is solid it like it should be
Note: the shifter gate is fine and the metal tabs you bolt on the trans and have the rods clip
fit like a glove.

hope you guys can help me out

[garys 68]

There is a mechanism inside the side cover that prevents 1/2 gear and 3/4 gear from engaging at the same time.
If the 1/2 lever wobbles, either the shifter is worn, or the lever is not fully seated on the threaded 1/2 shifter shaft on the side cover. Disconnect the shifter rod and see if the lever is solid on the shaft. It should seat on the squared off base beneath the threads. The lever also might be rounded out and need replacing.

[TnBlkC230WZ]

Is 1/2 shift lever wiggling where it attaches to the shift fork or is it wiggling where it attaches to the shift linkage. If it is wiggling at the shift fork, is the fork wiggling in the case or is the shift lever wiggling on the fork. The fork shouldn't wiggle inside the side cover, if it does, either the fork is worn or the side cover is worn. both are easy fixes.

As stated above, there is a lockout on the side cover that prevents you from engaging two gears simultaneously. If the fork is loose in the side cover, the mechanism may prevent the 3/4 synco assembly from moving.

[TheJDMan]

It sounds like your shift stops are set too deep. They are the two bolts with lock nuts on the front and the back of the shifter housing. These stops need to be adjusted so you get full engagement of the gears without jamming them too far. These bolts act as a positive stop for the lever when you shift hard. When you describe hitting a wall what is actually happening is you are hitting the stops. With the car NOT running, back both bolts out. Then shift the trans into third and adjust the back bolt so it just touches the lever inside the housing. Then shift the trans into fourth gear and adjust the front bolt so it just touches the lever inside the housing. You should now be able to shift hard and the levers will engage the gears without jamming and the stops will take the impact.