I'm buying a 67 vert with a M20 4-speed and the previous owner told me that if you dump the clutch and stall the engine, you cannot restart it without crawling under the car and moving some part of the linkage. He didn't know exactly what the part was called. He went as far as to tell me he uses a wrench to reach up and move "said" linkage over and then it will start. Any ideas as to what this could be and how to fix it right? I asked him why he didn't fix it himself and he stated that his mechanic told him as long as he doesn't stall the engine with the clutch, it won't be an issue. I would rather fix it the right way and know my car is running properly. Any ideas? Thanks!

Wow.....your dry cleaning bill will skyrocket with that car! Did this car have an automatic transmission at one time? If so, it could be related to the neutral safety switch. More info needed! Did he say what exactly he was turning with the wrench?

Hi Gary,

Thanks for the response.

The previous owner was not actually turning a nut or bolt, but rather just using the wrench as the tool of choice to reach up and move the mystery linkage. Apparently the part is out of finger reach so he used the wrench. I know the car is an original V8 car but I have no idea about the transmission. I am under the impression that is an original M20 but how can I confirm without the POP? All I have is the cowl tag.

By the way, if it isn't already obvious, this is my first 1st gen camaro...it's always been my dream car and I finally made it happen. Now I'm just getting started ironing out all the wrinkles.

Thanks again.

The owner's statement is ambiguous. Does he mean it will not turn over or it cannot be driven; like the shifter was jammed. If the latter the linkage may be jamming indicating it's out of adjustment, worn, or both. My first Camaro in '82 jammed due to the aforementioned and I had a wrench in the console for a week until I repaired the linkage.

Hi Sauron,

The previous owner told me the car won't start without moving this linkage, it is not a case where the car will start but won't drive. It cannot be started without moving this linkage. What linkage (position) determines whether the car can start or not? Once again, it only happens if the engine is stalled by dumping the clutch.

Thanks.

67's have no neutral safety switch on a manual tranny. Nor are there any factory linkages peventing them from starting. Automatics do but but are electrical and not mechanical. It would be interesting to see what exactly is going on under that vehicle.

Interesting. Well, there's only one way to find out. I'm planning on picking up a floor jack and some jack stands this week. I'll do some poking around and report back.

I would say the clutch rod is falling out of its notch in the fork making the clutch inoperable.

Are you sure he's not just banging on the started to release the bendix?

3forme, this would make sense except the clutch pedal does not have to be depressed in order to start the car...is that normal?

Alabamcam, I am positive that is not the case as he distinctly told me about using the wrench to move a linkage or rod.