On my 70 ss 396 350hp 4 spd, the trans will stick in one gear. I replaced the hurst shifter with another stock shifter and put it in shop but after a BIG bill no change.

Also now the key on the column won't return to lock in forth gear and the car won't start with the key, but will start by shorting out the solenoid with the key "on".

It seems I am going from bad to worse and the mechanics don't seem as knowledgeable as ME!

Any ideas anyone? Also, can anyone recommend any good literature or wbsites since I may have to tackle this situation myself and I haven't really turned many wrenches since about when this car was new.

P.s. the car is all stock and has about 98000 miles on it.Thanks in advance, pistol

I had the same problem with my trans sticking in first gear after I rebuilt the trans. after several times of removing and reinstalling I found the problem the detent cams in the side cover were bent and the shifter fork was slipping off the detent and binding up.that is where I would start, remove the shifter rods and levers try to shift the trans buy hand with a cresent wrench see if the trans shifts smoothly thru 1st,2nd,3rd,4th if it does the trans is fine if not check the side cover detents, problem is you have to remove the trans. to do that. if the trans. is ok after you have shifted it with the cresent wrench I would check the shifter alignment[let know if you if you need the proceedure]The problem with
the key not starting the car I think is the back drive linkage adjustment it is the rod which conects to the reverse lever on the the trans. and goes to the colunm that also needs to be adjusted I can let you know how if you need it let me know what happens

The starting system problem may be the switch being burnt out in the start position. the key not returning to lock should be in the reverse position and it sounds like your backdrive rod is either missing or out of adjustment. the backdrive rod goes from the shifter linkage to a lever at the bottom of the steering column to turn the upper part of the column to the lock position and so you can remove the key.

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Leo Paugh
Maryland Chevelle Club #017
A.C.E.S.#3731
progress has little to do with speed, but lots to do with direction.
Maryland Chevelle Club (http://www.chevelles.net/mcc/mcc.htm)