BLKMGK Posted August 21, 2001 Share Posted August 21, 2001 Just a heads up... I've pulled my reverse lockout unit and completely dissassembled it. I see how it works, why it works, and possibly how to make it more tolerable. I've taken some pics of it but have not yet had time to post them. In short - there are two springs in the unit. The solenoid acts to force the transmission shifter to press against the larger spring when it's not been activated. This larger spring looks like a darned valvespring! It has to be compressed just to be assembled. The second spring looks like somehting you'd find in a ballpoint pen - very weak. When I've posted pics it should be a little more clear how the solenoid works. I think my first mod will be to shorten the stock heavy spring such that it need not be compressed in order to assemble it. I DO want reverse to be tougher but right now it requires TWO hands! An extra push is okay but having to undo the belts to get it in reverse isn't okay I'll let everyone know how this goes. So far it's required NO special tools although pulling some of the clips without the special pliers has been a PITA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted August 21, 2001 Share Posted August 21, 2001 Just remember that shortening a spring makes it stiffer! (You'll need both hands, arms, and feet for this one then). You may need to find a replacement spring altogether. PITA. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted August 21, 2001 Share Posted August 21, 2001 Dave brings up a real good point. Many of the smaller and even the big hardware stores have a large variety of springs, and a weaker but preloaded spring I think would be much be much better than a stiffer and non-preloaded one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike kZ Posted August 21, 2001 Share Posted August 21, 2001 I replaced the large spring with one of the same diameter but weaker, then eliminated the solinoid assembly. You can feel resistance going into reverse, but nowhere near a two handed shift. [ August 21, 2001: Message edited by: Mike kZ ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modern Motorsports Ltd Posted August 21, 2001 Share Posted August 21, 2001 Hmmpf, I'll have to ask my Dad again but I recall no unusual effort required on his T56 for reverse. Perhaps Ron Tyler mod'd it before him or had that solenoid triggered differently? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted August 21, 2001 Author Share Posted August 21, 2001 Doh, okay guys thanks! Makes sense now that I think about it. Hrm, maybe shorten it and then stretch it out? Replacement spring would certianly b best tho' I'm sure. As for no added resistance - Ross something's been changed, trust me! I considered snipping off the end of the solenoid which would disable the "feature" but then it would be as weak as the other gears and I'd prefer not hit Reverse at speed. I considered wiring it up to the brake pedal too and will go that way if no easy psring solution pops up. Ah well, will try to document this on my site with pics. Just haven't had time to put them up yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike kZ Posted August 21, 2001 Share Posted August 21, 2001 Originally posted by DavyZ:[QB]Mike, where did you buy the new, weaker spring--do tell. TIA Davy, I just looked through the stock at a hardware store until I found the right spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Locutus Posted August 21, 2001 Share Posted August 21, 2001 What about a momentary type switch mounted on the dash somewhere so you can activate the solinoid to put in reverse when you need to, then it works like it was intended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg SmileZ Posted August 22, 2001 Share Posted August 22, 2001 BLKMGK, Look forward to seeing the pictures! Please let us know when they have been posted. Greg SmileZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted August 22, 2001 Share Posted August 22, 2001 Mike kZ: should have figured you did what was logical & reasonable (unlike your ride...) Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted August 22, 2001 Share Posted August 22, 2001 My reverse is not hard to get into either... strange, but it never has been... My ears are open though.. Mike Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted August 22, 2001 Share Posted August 22, 2001 Mike, where did you buy the new, weaker spring--do tell. TIA Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IdahoZ Posted February 19, 2006 Share Posted February 19, 2006 I just finished rebuilding a T-56 for my 240Z and was looking for information about the reverse lockout solenoid and what others are doing. My engine will not be fuel injected and will not have a computer. I decided to disasseble the solenoid to see if I could modify it in some way to lighten up the spring tension so I would not have the solenoid activating everytime I push on the brakes, etc. I found a simple solution which seems to work rather well. Just remove the drive pin that is part of the solenoid to allow the larger spring to bottom out in it's housing. I tried cutting the pin off but it is very tough, so I just ripped the guts out of the solenoid and pulled the pin out through the solenoid housing. Next I put the spring in the vise and compressed it enough to remove the snap ring that keeps it compressed. Then I just put the spring back in the housing and installed the housing sap ring to keep it there. The spring tension feels good, but if I feel like I need it stiffer later on, I can simply remove the spring and insert spacers in the bottom of the housing, thus compressing the spring allowing me to fine tune the tension. I decided to fill the empty solenoid housing with fiberglass resin to make it look a bit better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Scott Posted February 19, 2006 Share Posted February 19, 2006 The reverse solenoid is a good thing to have. Prevents a potentially catastophic tranny failure and maybe your car along with it.. Imagine shifting into revese instead of grabbing fifth. I wired mine into a small microswitch near the shifter. If you don't have chevy parts electrical pig tail # 12085485, 12101857 is for the reverse light switch. Another friend used a B&M shifter with the switch on the handle. True you can "crash" through it if necessary, but why not have it there? Isn't reverse lock out required by NHRA tech inspection?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeleriousZ Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 I think you're a tad late on this one killer, this thread is over 3 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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