Bob -
That's the Reverse Lockout. It bangs up agains a screwed-on (early) or
riveted-on plate to keep you from accidentally getting into Reverse when
you're looking for 1st. When everything is new, you have to press down
on the lever in order to bring it all the way over to the left into the
reverse gate (then you push forward to engage reverse).
Pushing down lets the tip of the screw you're talking about slide under
the plate. Suggest you look at that plate. If you need a new one, I
think I have a couple of spares in New Jersey, but they're the rivet
type.
As for the screw, take it out and down to a hardware store. Match the
threads. Cut the head off the new bolt and file off the threads of the
freshly cut end about 1/4". This is not a precision instrument here!
Install it through the shaft so the filed end is toward the plate. Put
the locking nut on loosely, on the opposite side of the shifter from the
plate.
To adjust, when you're in neutral in the 1st/2nd gate, there should be
.010 to .050 inches of clearance between the end of the screw and the
plate. Shift into 1st, then back to neutral, then check the clearance,
without moving the lever left or right in neutral. When it's right,
tighten down the locking nut. Again, this is not a precision instrument.
Lastly, the car can be driven without having this system working. Don't
know how much of the interior of a Spitfire needs to come out to get the
tunnel cover in and out, but if it's not too much, consider buttoning it
back up and enjoying your car while you wait for parts!
Bill Kelly
'62 Herald
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