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I just got a 1953 M43 and can't get it to go into reverse? The other gears work fine. What do I check? Thanks for the help.

I assume you've already tried letting up on the clutch a bit while in neutral with the engine running then depressing it and trying it again? Sometimes mine won't go into reverse because the gear teeth are in the wrong alignment. Giving it a little bump as described lets it go right in.

THe other thing I've heard, but have never experienced myself, is that sometimes the shifter develops a lot of slop as things wear, so it almost feels as though you have to move the shift lever out the passenger door to get it to go into reverse (obviously and exaggeration, bu you get the idea.)

Thanks. I got it. I just need to learn it's idiosyncrasies.

tonandhalfsteve,
If you look at where the shifter enters the top cover of the trans you'll see there's a pin that acts to index it. When the assembly is new that pin is a tight fit and the shifter does not rotate about it's axis much, if at all. Over time the pin/cover wear and things start to float around a bit. You'll start to notice the shifter will rotate. As this progresses gear selection gets worse. I've rebuilt one top cover and used a new hardened pin and I've purchased one. I believe MSeries will also rebuild the early shift covers. On the newer trans NP changed the design and added an additional pin.

Andy