the 'gate' between Reverse and First disappears: 70 Cuda 4 speed

[70Challenger440]

I am having a problem with a 70  Cuda AAR 340's shifting. The car is a complete restoration and everything  was done to extremely high standards about 10 years ago and was driven sparingly by the prior owner who then passed away. I have taken it to a number of places, and they just can't seem to figure what is causing the problem and don't want to attack it blindly, since the car is so nicely done and they don't see anything obviously wrong.

What is occurring: When the car is first started, the "gate" between first and reverse disappears. (This is especially tough to deal with at stoplights). The shifter feel is NOT sloppy and otherwise feels perfect and new. This 'gate' can 'sometimes' return after a while of driving (5+ miles), if I then turn off car and immediately restart it. Other times it won't. Sometimes the opposite will occur. The gate will be there when first started, and then disappear after driving 5+ miles.

Does anyone have an idea what is causing this bizarre problem?

[Rich G.]

First thing to check is the shift linkage on the trans. Are they tight, bushings and clips good, shift linkage adjusted properly???

[70Challenger440]

First thing to check is the shift linkage on the trans. Are they tight, bushings and clips good, shift linkage adjusted properly???

The 2 shops that looked at it claimed everything was new and looked tight. (prior owner had a complete restoration done, it's a "#1" condition car).

[B5fourspeed]

I would call Brewers and discuss your issues.If your reverse rod is off by 1or 2 rotations weird things can happen.

[70Challenger440]

I tried calling multiple places including the one above, but couldn't get the info needed.  I did more web research and found a   Youtube  manual transmission channel  https://www.youtube.com/@GearBoxVideo/videos. (gearboxvideo.com). I called him.  He spent a good amount of time helping me and figured out what was causing the problem. I told him the least I could do is mention him on this forum. He is a really smart and helpful guy when it comes to 4 speeds.

[Racer57]

I tried calling multiple places including the one above, but couldn't get the info needed.  I did more web research and found a   Youtube  manual transmission channel  https://www.youtube.com/@GearBoxVideo/videos. (gearboxvideo.com). I called him.  He spent a good amount of time helping me and figured out what was causing the problem. I told him the least I could do is mention him on this forum. He is a really smart and helpful guy when it comes to 4 speeds.

So what was wrong ?!?!?

[70Challenger440]

So what was wrong ?!?!?

After asking me a bunch of questions, he thought the reverse detent plunger or spring was sticking. Being a non-console car, he suggested to pull the shfiter boot and  spray a mix of of carb cleaner and wd40 down into the shifter mechanism. The problem did go away after that, so I assume he was probably right.

[Chryco Psycho]

There is a dual spring in the shifter that centers the handle in the 1-2 gate , the mechanism has to be binding in the shifter so cleaning & lubricating is in order .