New engine/trans, now car won't go in park

[cashmoneyspeed]

I swapped out my factory 307 in my 86 Buick Regal and put in a chevrolet 305 engine with TH350 transmission. Now when the gear shifter on the column is in the PARK position, it is actually in reverse so i am having to start it in reverse and then quickly shift into nuetral to let the engine idle and warm up. I currently have the stock shifter linkage installed. Which specific shifter linkage should i be looking for so i can get park back and not worry about running into things every time i start it or have the car rolling away when its parked.

Also, i've got shorty headers on the engine and nothing is even close to binding or touching the linkage anywhere. It shifts smoothly, just don't have park. Is there some way i can just modify the linkage i have?

 

[CHRIS.O]

Cant you start it in neutral? Sorry not gonna be any help on the parts you need.

 

[madmaxstyle]

there is a little ball/bushing type thingy that the rod pivots on right beside the transmission (don't know the technical name for it)
If its missing there is a bit of slop and shifting into the gears will be more difficult.
Could loosen the bolt and readjust the rod maybe

 

[cashmoneyspeed]

I can start it when the column shifter is in the park position on the column but the trans is actually in reverse. It won't start with the trans in nuetral because the column is reading that its in reverse.

There's no slop in it, it just seems like the linkage rod isn't the correct length. The white plastic looking bushing and spring are on the end of the linkage like they should be. No issues with a bent spring or anything like that, i've gone over the whole front half of the car from the crossmember forward bolt by bolt.
I have the trans bracket thats held onto the trans by a nut that only goes on one way , its the one on the left i powdercoated black. The other one wasn't what i needed to hold the speedo gear, realized after i powdercoated it.

Here's a pic right before i had the exhaust put on, no binding of any kind.

Besides the shifter issue, everything is running good except for after 50 miles of driving, today it had a hard time starting, kind of backfired a little bit once, blew some black smoke, and ran for a few seconds after the ignition was turned off. I'll pull out the timing gun and see what i come up with on that.

 

[bill]

If you can get under the car while someone else shifts the trans from park thru all the movements of the gear selector and watch the linkage, you might see the problem. sounds to me like the linkage is out of adjustment. What trans was in the car before you swapped engines?

 

[Bonnewagon]

There is an adjustment for the shifter rod that goes from the column to the pivot.. Look for a bolt that tightens against the rod,(see "clamp"), you loosen it, adjust for neutral both at the trans and column indicator, then tighten it and double check again.

 

[cashmoneyspeed]

Bonnewagon, thanks a ton for that picture. I couldn't be happier that i didn't search the junkyard for a new linkage and waste money on it. I was also able to put my reverse light bulbs back in. It was definatley an uneasy feeling starting it in reverse and having the car lurch backwards everytime. 😀 😀