4th gear

[fryedaddy]

i just put a 4 speed in my comet,got a new shifter for my toploader.problem is when i go from 3rd to 4th all i can find is 2nd when i try for 4th. maybe 3rd and 4th shifter rod needs adjusted?trans is like new.i had the shifter on the trans in the floor and it shifted fine,but when i put the trans in the car i had to take the shifter off,when i put it back on i might have gotten it a little off.

[gregaba]

Its happened to me before. Shifter adjustment should take care of it.
Greg

[fryedaddy]

i readjusted the 3-4 linkage.it was only off one turn to center it.went for another ride and it still would not go in 4th.i figured it out.me and my bright ideas sometimes dont work.i made a temporary boot out of a leather ball cap till i can buy a new rubber boot.i made a small hole in the middle where the button on the top of the cap is.i screwed down the 4 corners with screws.i guess it didnt have enough play in it.i took the ballcap boot off and its ok now.

[fryedaddy]

HELP HELP  i thought it was fixed but its not.i adjusted the shifter with the peg in the alignment hole,but it still goes into 2nd when i try for 4th.i have no idea.when i bought the comp plus shifter i temp installed it on the trans in the floor.i run through the gears several times and it shifted into all four smooth a butter.but i reinstalled it after putting the trans in the car.now it wont go into 4th.HELP!

[fryedaddy]

does anyone have a good detailed picture of their comp plus shifter linkage installed on a 66 comet-fairlane transmission app.someone posted it before,but i cant find it.i may have one of my shifter rods turned wrong.

[GerryP]

https://documents.holley.com/3737638_instructions.pdf

[Jb427]

Gregwill16 helped me out not long ago setting up mine here are some pic's he sent me of a stock 66 fairlane set up.

Big thanks from me to him as well. STD 66 fairlane set up is the photos with the shifter handle std they are built into the shifter section. My shifter set has no handle attached.

Last photo is of my shifter set up I did not have a std type fairlane hurst shifter I had the "universal kit" I had to make custom reverse and i think it was 3/4 linkage from hurst linkages i had here as the std set up that come with the kit hit the tunnel floor.

[Jb427]

I will also add If you have a shifter like mine you will need custom linkages to fit a 66 fairlane.

[gregaba]

Wierd problem
I would try to shift it to 4 and then get under the car and take a good look at the linkage. It would help if you had someone shift the trans while you were watching it. Don't forget the jackstands.
The 2 rods could be jamming up againest each other.
Its worth a try.
Greg

[Jb427]

Wierd problem
I would try to shift it to 4 and then get under the car and take a good look at the linkage. It would help if you had someone shift the trans while you were watching it. Don't forget the jackstands.
The 2 rods could be jamming up againest each other.
Its worth a try.
Greg

I agree with Gregaba that is the best way to see what is going on. 

[My427stang]

Agree with above, the only other thing I will say is some old shifters get gunked up or dry, and they can do all kinds of funky things.  Over the years, especially when MUCH younger, I never seemed to be able to get a worn or unhappy shifter to get happy again.  Likely things get a little twisted over time, etc.

However, I do think that if when you pull 4th it goes to 2nd, I would be looking inside the shifter, not linkage unless the linkage somehow is loading the arms left to right.

[wayne]

Are your shifter arms on the outside of the shifter or inside i have seen when both were inside the arms the adjustment parts hit and would not let go all the way in gear.

[fryedaddy]

i had the 3-4 arm that bolts to the trans upside down.all three arms should be pointing up.for some reason i put the 3-4 arm on upside down.it wore a spot on the arm where it was hitting another arm,making it go back into 2nd instead of 4th.i had to take the shifter off the trans before i put the trans in the car. time went buy,i slept a few times,and i got it wrong when i hooked it back up. thanks for the info.