356 gear stick problem help!

[silverboydreamer]

I have a problem with the gear stick, when engaging reverse, the gear is selected but the stick jumps out the gate back to neutral, however the gearbox is still in reverse, has anyone got any idea why this is happening and how I cure it?. Car is a 1963 T6.

[Kneeslider]

Its probably going to be something to do with the selector mechanism, either at the bottom of the stick, or the alignment of the coupler under the cover in front of the back seat.

Do all the other gears select OK? Does it feel like the stick is centred when in neutral, or does it bias to one side, or front to back?

When aligning the shift rod under the inspection cover, I always select 2nd gear, then loosen the clamp on the shift rod, and push the gearstick back and left against the detent, then hold it there while doing up the clamp. Then test how it feels, this ought to sort out the shift rod adjustment.

Secondly, if you undo the bolts at the base of the gearstick, and take it out, you will see on the underside of the gearstick housing a detent plate, secured with two screws, and with an oval hole. It also has a bent up detent tang. If the plate has been installed incorrectly, the detent won't do its thing.

[silverboydreamer]

Thanks for info, I will look into what you say and see what happens

[silverboydreamer]

Thanks for help on this problem, after investing the gearshift mechanism I found a very worn socket and a non existent shaft guide, when I rectify these hopefully it will solve the problem
Cheers Dave k