78Corolla Liftback shift questions - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

78CorollaSon · 07-09-2005, 04:50 PM

My son (why the name) acquired a 78 Corolla deluxe liftback with 3 speed automatic to drive to work with. It belonged to an old man who bought it new but had to sell it. Other than the problems listed below, it runs just fine. The body shows some 30 year wear as to be expected and the 4 cylinder engine just needs new sparkplugs and wires. Everything else is good or has been replaced.

Have an old Chilton's but does not address these problems.

It can be pushed/ it will roll standing still, engine off, in all gears as if in Neutral.
It will start in all gears.

However, it runs just fine. Once shifted into Drive or any other gear, it stays there. The transmission shifts fine, no slippage and the oil is clear red. Not burnt or dirty. The shift is console on the floor and I am assuming this is a linkage adjustment problem?

This is our first Toyota by the way. Appreciate any help.

78CorollaSon · 07-13-2005, 01:59 AM

Solved. Got an answer from a poster on the "Toyoland Forums":

Quote:

Sure sounds like the car's transmission linkage is out of whack....
Not sure how it is setup on that particular Corolla - but I'd assume that there is a bracket and shift arm that the shift cable is connected to. Could just be loose or the bracket is rusted away, causing it to miss shift or get stuck in gear.