[DeTomaso] 1972 Pantera shift linkage

[Christopher Kimball]

I certainly have limited knowledge when it comes to mechanical things, but I know when my shifting was out of adjustment I had the same kind of problems you're experiencing.  It sounds as if when you put it into reverse it's really going into second gear, which would mean the shifter is set off center--too far to the right.  You're probably going to need to get that second nut loose to adjust it properly.  I ended up using the largest wrenches known to man to get my turnbuckle nuts loose.  To avoid damaging the transmission or other things, I made sure the wrench I had on the turnbuckle was firmly wedged against the transmission housing or the wall of the engine bay (depending on which nut and the direction of the threads) so when I reefed on it I wasn't putting all sorts of strain on some delicate inner part of the tranny.

What I did was to make sure it was in neutral, then get the shifter into a position of being in the exact center of the gate (from right to left) and back far enough that the middle of the shifter was even with the edge of the beginning of the reverse gate (front to back).  When I say even with the reverse gate, what I mean is that if the shifter is set too far forward, every time you try to shift into first, the shifter can momentarily move to the left partially into the reverse gate and the backup lights flash on momentarily.  

I know this because that's exactly what is happening to my car now.  I have my turnbuckle set as short as it can be, and the shifter is still a tiny bit too far forward, although all the gears work fine.  When I shift from first to second I just have to be sure I don't move the shifter to the left at all, or the people behind me get a light show!

Anyway, once the shifter is in the exact right position, you tighten the turnbuckle nuts, being careful that as you tighten them the shifter doesn't move from side to side, which it will want to do.  Some people use a piece of wood wedged between the shift gate and the shifter to hold it in place; one member, I believe, even custom-made a piece to hold his shifter in the exact right position during this type of adjustment.

Once everything is tightened, it should go through the gears without the shifter rubbing hard against either the left or right sides of each gear's gate.  If it does, then the shifter moved to the left or right off of center when you were tightening the turnbuckle.  Also, the shifter should feel the same from front-to-back.  In other words, the shifter shouldn't slam against the top of the gate, but then stop a half-an-inch from the bottom of the gate.  If it does, then the turnbuckle was tightened too long or short.

This might not be what's wrong, though, and I'm sure there are others who will chime in with some more ideas.

Sincerely,

Chris



> From: LEVITT1946 at aol.com
> Date: Sun, 3 Oct 2010 10:08:35 -0400
> To: detomaso at realbig.com
> Subject: [DeTomaso] 1972 Pantera shift linkage
> 
> Dear Friends ,
>  
> My car is painted ,running and I cannot seem to get the car into gear  ..
>  
> I have tried adjusting the turn screw and the two bolts on the linkage . I  
> can only move the bolt closest to the engine . When I loosen that bolt the 
> car  will go thru the gears but there is no reverse . 
>  
> I started the engine and used the clutch to run thru the gears . All  gears 
> seem to work but when i put the car in reverse she still moves forward  . 
>  
> Ideas,
>  
> Does the clutch need to be bled ?
>  
> Does the linkage need adjusting? I cannot move it .It is frozen in place  
> .Use heat?
>  
> Can this all be caused by needing to be bled more or is it an adjustment at 
>  the slave cylinder ?
>  
> Regards,
> Bob Levitt
> Team Pantera Racing #3196
> Gumball3000 #56     
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