I have a 1969 L88 clone with a shifter problem in the M22 that I suspect is a linkage problem. I can't get it into reverse consistently. It feels like the shift lever has tilted to the left so that the left side of the shift handle hits the interior (left side) of the shift console and effectively locks out reverse (which is, of course, up and to the left). The rest of the gears work fine and the problem does not feel like it is in the transmission itself; rather it seems that it is something in the linkage. When the problem with reverse happens, the slot for 3rd assumes the spot for first (again, like the entire shift lever has tilted to the left).
From underneath, that wire cable (like for brakes on an old bike) that comes off of the linkage and is activated by turning the ignition switch has a lot of play. I would like to permanently lose that lockout feature when I fix the reverse problem. I had it disconnected and wired up previously, but reconnected it to try and resolve the instant problem, without success.
I have no doubt that someone has experienced this and knows the cure. Thanks in advance for your help! These cars are a beast to push backwards manually!