I am having hard time adjusting to m20 4 speed in my 68 camaro. I can't seem to tell whether it is 1st or 3rd gear. It has hurst shifter. any suggestions? thanks.

 

meaning is it just the way it is or something wrong with the shifter? has anyone else have similar issues before?

 

Take loose all the linkage from the shifter itself. Once all the linkage is off line up the shifter plates on the shifter. Hurst shifters have a hole that goes through all the plates for easy alignment. Stick something through the hole, if you dont have the plastic tool, and keep it aligned as you adjust the linkage to fit to the shifter. Also make sure your tranny is in neutral. Once you have all the linkage rods reinstalled tighten the nuts on the threads. When you are happy, remove the tool from the shifter. This should get you adjusted back to where you need to be.

 

Dynarider33 is correct. I had the same problem and linkage adjustment did the trick. I had to fuss a little more on the reverse linkage to get it right, but the four forward gears lined up easily with the alignment hole. Don't forget to make sure the two stop bolts on top the shifter are adjusted properly. I also found that the threads on 42 yr old linkage rods can strip, allowing the rods to jump out of adjustment. This can be corrected by either spending $150 for a new set of linkage or adding nuts on either side of the knuckle for extra support. Finally, make sure the small bushings on the shifter fingers where the linkage connects are in good shape. These are cheap. Any doubt buy new ones.

 

Wow, this is more than what I can handle, mechanically that is, but I will take a note. By the way, I noticed some drips under the car after driving from the tranny, as inidicatd in the picture. After a while, got less and less. The previous owner told me new bearings, synchros, and 1st gear got replaced recently. Is this something I should have checked out? Thanks.
Pictures by hdrocks - Photobucket