transmission shifting

[lishka]

in the middle of putting my body off restoration back together having trouble with reverse gear doesn't appear the shift lingage is long enough not able to shift in reverse with column manually it works smoothly what do I do

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

What year of vehicle are you working on?

Bruce.

[lishka]

thank you Bruce i should have put it sorry   1956 convertible

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

One good reason to take lots of pictures when dismantling.   You did take pictures?

But, one thing about the Shop Manual, it should give you an idea of how it goes back together.

Did you put a part of the linkage in the wrong way around.    Got to be something simple.

Bruce.

[lishka]

the car came in pieces so I have no pictures any idea of simple fix thank you for trying to help

[Roger Zimmermann]

Did you overhaul the transmission? There could be an internal leak at the reverse actuator piston; look at the possible causes in the shop manual. One of the first Hydramatic I overhauled had no reverse after the repair. It was my fault: I forgot to tighten the screws from the manual valve body...