Trouble shifting

[mdcar]

A buddy of mine just got a 73 Super Autostick and is having trouble shifting sometimes.  He says if he turns the car off and on the problem will temporarily go away.  The previous owner gave him a wire that is supposed to hook to the shifter.  Not sure if it is missing or if it would work at all with out it.  Could that have anything to do with it or should we look at adjusting something?  Any ideas what we should look at?  

Thanks

Matt

[bookwus]

Hiya Matt,

That wire to the shifter is essential.  Without it you do not shift at all.  Check to be sure the wire (should be blue if it's original) has a clean and secure connection under the rear seat and that there are no worn or frayed spots as it emerges from the bottom of the shifter.

More than likely you have a problem in the vacuum system.  Your best bet would be to go over the vacuum hoses and check them and their connecting points out.  When old, these hoses will tend to collapse under the draw of the vacuum.

[mdcar]

Mike,

Thanks for the reply.  We'll check it out now that we have a starting point.

Matt