FT200 newby setup questions

[group7]

I can't seem to get first and reverse in my FT200 despite linkage adjustments, etc. The hewland manual is not very helpfull. Any suggestions?
How much of an overdrive is possible in fifth? A taller R&P is probable the correct answer but the budget is pretty slim at this point.
Thanks

[sttp199]

There is forward and reverse adjustment that will get you from 4th to 5th as well as left and right adjustment which will get you from reverse to 1st, 2nd to 3rd and 4th to 5th. Try adjusting the left right adjustment.

[Charles Warner]

Can you get the fingers to go into 1st and reverse with the rear cover off and the shift arm removed? If so it could be a situation involving the alignment of the shift linkage, or a spring problem.

What ratios do you need? I have some extremely tall gears that are well into the overdrive range.

[Craig Taylor]

Difficult shifting into 1st and Reverse is usually caused by one or a combination of three things:

1. Shift linkage angular slop. If the shift linkage has more than 5 degrees of angular slop, shifting into 1/R will be difficult. This is checked by removing the rear cover to gain access to the shift finger. With the shift lever in the cockpit held immovable, rotate the shift finger in the transmission. If the angular slop is greater than 5 degrees, check the linkage. There are many places for slop: universal joints, assembly bolts, spherical bearngs supporting the linkage, and the shifter head itself. If U-joints are the culprit, always use APEX aircraft joints.

2. Shift linkage adjustement. The rotational travel provided for the shift lever in most formula cars is very limited. Normally adjustment is provided at the shift head, usually in the form of a 1/2" threaded portion at the rear of the shift head, with a jam nut. Loosten the jam nut and rotate the shift head outward slightly. This may fix the problem. This same threaded portion allows some for-and-aft adjustment of the shift knob.

3. The transmission: Many vintage drivers elect to only use second through fifth on the track. These transmissions frequently are set up with a very strong reverse lockout spring, or a very tight tripover spring. The parts can be seen as items 15 through 20 at http://www.taylor-race.com/framedmap...gory1=FT%20200 in the lower right hand corner of the drawing. The stiff lockout system prevents inadvertent engagement of first or reverse, and also prevents a partial engagement of the 1sr/3rd rails or rev/2nd rail at the same time, which blocks the shifter in neutral.

Hopefully this will help.

Craig Taylor
craig@taylor-race.com
800-922-4327

[group7]

Thanks for your responses.
Daryl