[Aluminum Chief]

This is in my 69 Firebird when purchased last year.
I never had or worked on one.
The car has a Saginaw 4 speed trans.
I understand it is normal to have to lift the lever up to put the car in 1st gear but I also have to lift the lever up to get it out of 1st gear, otherwise the shifter works great.
Before I start messing with it does anyone know about these shifters and what the issue might be?
The clutch seems to be adjusted correctly.
Thanks KC

[pokey1]

Had one in my car for over 30 years. never had a problem with it. Always had to make sure all the linkage rods were adjusted just right. They came with a pin that goes thru the shifter and linkage adjusted from there. Could use anything like a drill bit or whatever. The more snug it fit the better the adjustment. I think I still have a pin mine came with if you want it anyway. Took it out a couple years ago for the 6 speed manual. Should pull straight back real easy out of first.

[Skip Fix]

Yea it should not need to pull up to get out of first at all . I had one in my Impala in the 70s on a Muncie I drove on the street for years, then used it in the 79 Camaro when I autocrossed it witha BC and a ST-10 before I shoved the IA motor in it. The gate has kind of a roller, make sure it is slides freely. Maybe pull the linkage off the shifter and just check the shifter first working through the gears. I can get pictures of mine tomorrow if you want.

[Aluminum Chief]

Originally Posted by pokey1

Had one in my car for over 30 years. never had a problem with it. Always had to make sure all the linkage rods were adjusted just right. They came with a pin that goes thru the shifter and linkage adjusted from there. Could use anything like a drill bit or whatever. The more snug it fit the better the adjustment. I think I still have a pin mine came with if you want it anyway. Took it out a couple years ago for the 6 speed manual. Should pull straight back real easy out of first.

I am aware of the pin adjustment and have one. Thanks KC

[Aluminum Chief]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

Yea it should not need to pull up to get out of first at all . I had one in my Impala in the 70s on a Muncie I drove on the street for years, then used it in the 79 Camaro when I autocrossed it witha BC and a ST-10 before I shoved the IA motor in it. The gate has kind of a roller, make sure it is slides freely. Maybe pull the linkage off the shifter and just check the shifter first working through the gears. I can get pictures of mine tomorrow if you want.

I will check out the roller first. Thanks KC

[Skip Fix]

I'll be out at the shop later and take some pictures.

[Skip Fix]

Here are some pictures. Be sure everything is lubes well. Mine is a little dry but I still did not have to pull up to get second. The Vertical gate is touchiy and it has to be lined up well.
First is neutral showing gate,second neutral picking up lever to get 1-2. Third is second, 4th is 3rd gear. Last 4th gear.

[Skip Fix]

I think this is 1st from the top.

I just found out my linkage I used on my '64 Muncie and the ST-10 does not work on my 69-70 Muncie as it uses a bolt and the tranny tabs are wider than the stud d on the early Muncie and ST-10. ST-10 did take a different reverse linkage.

My college roommate had on in his 351C Ranchero GT .

[Aluminum Chief]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

I think this is 1st from the top.

I just found out my linkage I used on my '64 Muncie and the ST-10 does not work on my 69-70 Muncie as it uses a bolt and the tranny tabs are wider than the stud d on the early Muncie and ST-10. ST-10 did take a different reverse linkage.

My college roommate had on in his 351C Ranchero GT .

Thanks for the pics
I will check mine out today.

[Aluminum Chief]

So I found 2 issues today with my shifter and they both were with the 1-2 shift rod.

The main issue I found was at front of the shifter rod where it slips thru the trunnion, it was not held tight by the locking bolt so the rod was sliding back and forth in the trunnion. The bolt was frozen so I removed it and soaked it in PB Blaster and now it locks the rod.

2nd issue with the 1-2 rod was at the back by the shifter where they had a washer and cotter pin holding it to the shifter lever instead of a spring clip, so excessive play.

I did not see any provision at the base of the shifter to slide the adjusting tool into to adjust the linkage like a typical Hurst has. And I did not notice any other issues.

Hopefully this solves the problem of having to lift the lever to get it out of 1st gear, but I still have to put the dash back together and install the steering column before I can test it out.

Thanks All KC

[Skip Fix]

Here is the hole for the adjustment rod(drill bit) to go in.

[Aluminum Chief]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

Here is the hole for the adjustment rod(drill bit) to go in.

Oh Sh-- It`s at the top, no wonder why I diden`t see it.
Thanks

[Skip Fix]

At the top since the gate is up there.
All the gate and rollers need lots of lube too.

I'm wondering if on mine levers for a Hurst Super Shifter might work and easier to find.

[Darren 639]

When you use your fingers to lift the gate into first gear There is a threaded adjustment against the down spring. Check that adjustment to be sure that it isn’t too tight on the cam or ramp. make sure that the roller on that ramp isn’t getting stuck or trapped as you pull back. if you disconnect the shifter linkage from the one -two shift the actual shifter should work properly if it doesn’t must be roller not free on cam.

[Aluminum Chief]

Originally Posted by Darren 639

When you use your fingers to lift the gate into first gear There is a threaded adjustment against the down spring. Check that adjustment to be sure that it isn’t too tight on the cam or ramp. make sure that the roller on that ramp isn’t getting stuck or trapped as you pull back. if you disconnect the shifter linkage from the one -two shift the actual shifter should work properly if it doesn’t must be roller not free on cam.

OK I`ll check that.
Thanks KC

[Skip Fix]

Driving them on the street you just kind of learn to cock your hand forward some to get to the trigger for down shifts.

[Darren 639]

Also slow up shifting on street the spring will naturally want to pull gate down.if you’re not careful it will skip a pair of gears. 1st to 4th if reverse lockout isn’t probably locked out a slow street shift will unfortunately be particularly awful from 2nd directing gate into reverse. Yuk!!! it happened to me on street. Never at track because of the fast hard pull on shifter.

[Aluminum Chief]

Dash & steering column back in so I took the 69 Bird for a test ride today and was pleased when I was able to shift to 2nd gear without lifting the lever. So much better and fun to drive now. I guess it was that loose shifter rod sliding back & forth in the trunnion.
Thanks again for the help.
KC

[Skip Fix]

Glad you got it working better, a shot of it in my old 64 Impala with 69 Chevelle seats.