I picked up a 383 and 727 combo to put in my car last spring. I have finally dropped the motor in the car with the transmission. I needed to finish welding the brackets for the slap stik shifter after welding in new floor pans. I wanted to check the placement of the bracket and I noticed the trans will not shift. The shifter arm on the trans will not budge. So it got me thinking can you shift these cars with out keys in the ignition or am I missing something to make the arm move. I am thinking maybe the trans has sit to long and something inside seized causing the arm not to move. Thanks in advance.

You only need the key in the ignition to shift if it is auto on the column. On the transmission itself, you should be able to shift it at will with issues.

Thats what I thought so it looks like I am going to have to pull it back out and see whats going on with it. Sometimes it feels like I am not making any progress on this car. Oh well its a hobby.

Don't get discouraged, once it is all done, you will be not be disappointed.

Before you pull it try turning the tailshaft both ways then try shifting it again. You may just be hung up in park.

I would suggest moving the trans output shaft ... as you are trying to move the shift lever.

Going to try to turn tailshaft tonight and see what happens. I didnt think about tryig that. I will let you guys know if it solves my problem.