1975 914 1.8L-Going Forward In Reverse, Forward in Reverse Options

[ballsyfacts914]

So...just got my 914, as in today and my first spin was great, all my dreams came true. Then I couldn't get it into 1st gear. After some research, thought I found a solution but then I couldn't get it out of the garage as reverse made it go forward, could get it into 1st though so got that going for me. I am a novice and I expected some issues but dang! Any suggestions?

Thanks to all in advance!

[Superhawk996]

Adjustment of all shift linkage and having all the plastic bushings in good shape is critical. Even then, 914's are the poster child for vague shifting. These shift levers have about as much tactile feedback and positive gear detent certainty as a hot knife moving though butter.

Here is my car with poorly adjusted linkage as I was just trying to drive it around the neighborhood to make sure it would move under it's own power and shift all gears while rolling.

I missed reverse twice. I drove one of these cars daily for over a decade so it wasn't like I didn't know where reverse is or wasn't pushing aside the reverse lockout/detent spring. Reverse is fickle if the linkage is not adjusted properly and/or if the coupler joint at the front of the rod is worn out (as this one was) or the cup within the rear ball coupler is worn out (as this one was).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ5_EblRToE