1950s Jetaway no reverse fixed by TV rod adjustment

[Bronze]

Some of you may remember a couple of years ago when i had issues with a transmission that would not reverse. I had another one of those in a car i am currently working on.  All forward gears works well but reverse does not kick in. On jack stands with rear wheels in the air there is a slight forward rotation. Now i had not set the timing and idle and did a "quick and dirty" by making the TV rod so long that it held the throttle slightly open to get the car not die in idle.Guess what, all of a sudden the car would reverse!!!!no hesitation strong pull backwards. For the people who understands the 1956 trannies better than I do: Is there any understandable logic to this? Like would the transmission get a higher oil pressure from not activating the TV valve having a the long TV rod ( Reversing is usually done at low revs...at least by me)

[Jon S]

"Sounds like" the higher idle caused by the longer TV rod adjustment affected the transmission pressure and enabled reverse.

[Bronze]

Don't think so, I have been trying reversing with different revs before the Rod adjustment and it did not work, Now i have an idle at 500 rpm and a long TV rod and it does reverse like a champ...

[TJ Hopland]

You would not have thought the rod would effect reverse unless its some sort of lockout feature?

[Big Fins]

The correct adjustment procedure would be found in the FSM. An invaluable tool. Just 1/4 turn on the adjustment can make the difference in  a glass smooth shift, or one that gives you a mild case of whiplash.