I just acquired my father's '82 Z28 4 speed. The shifter seems tight when going side to side, but there is no distinction between Reverse and 1st. I thought you needed to push over and up for reverse, but it seems that just pushing from neutral, straight up, I get reverse. There is the smallest tolerance between reverse and 1st, so finding 1st is tricky. Second isn't much better and takes a little searching to find.

Is this an easy fix with bushings or linkage work? I've been trying to learn about this, but I'm not finding much. Is it something that's common enough that a shop can fix fairly inexpensive, or even something I can do.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks

 

This will be of no help.

Wow, a 4 speed pace car. That's fun, and less common.

edit>> I should add >> uncommon??

Good luck.

 

Saggy or T-10?

 

Reverse is left and up next to first, so I believe that to be the T10. The Saginaw is left and down, right?

 

Don't know for sure about the Saggy (I've always avoided those) but yes the T-10 is left & up.

If it's the stock shifter it pretty much is what it is... sounds like it's just basically wore out. If it's still possible, get a Hurst for it. Not sure if they still sell all that though.

 

It's mechanically simple to check the external linkage parts and how loose they (may) be.
The problem you describe is almost guaranteed to be external, which is nice.
Tear into it yourself, and see what's obviously worn. If it gets to be the shifter, a Hurst is recommended, but may be hard to find the correct one for an '82.
I am an internail rail shifter guy and don't know what aligns the shiter to each gate.