so this is correct that this year sag tranny had reverse next to 2nd. its strange nobody else has this pattern!

 

I'm going off of memory here, as I had a Sag many years ago in another 69. I don't think my reverse was down, but it was up like other 4 speeds are. Also if memory serves me correctly, after removing the reverse arm from the tranny, you can flip it to change the reverse gear pattern from down to up. So, if the arm is right now pointing up, you would make it point down, or vice-versa. Technically, there isn't a "right or wrong" as opposed to what is more conventional. And you may like it better with reverse being in the down position. I think I would, since it makes for an easier slide over going up into first.

 

They were usually up by 1st so you didn't accidentally hit reverse while grabbing a handful of 2nd. I'd flip it over if it were mine.

 

....Except the shifter doesn't just glide into reverse like it does the forward gears. You gotta mean it with some spring loaded action.

 

That's true, but some guys get pretty full of adrenaline when they're racing down the road!

 

Yeah, but that still isn't as bad as the "oops" you could do with a three speed:
R 2
1 3

 

Isn't that "R" for race?

 

That's "R" for Raked the gears....Ruined....Rats!!

 

I love my Hurst shifter. It requires a serious effort to get it over to the reverse detent. On top of that you still need to be applying pressure toward your body while going from 1-2 because the shifter is spring loaded to jump into the the 3-4 detent. This makes the 2-3 shift a simple smash forward. The shifter jumps over and doesn't get hung up.