Shifter goes into Reverse instead of 2nd and no 1st

[MTBer]

Bus newbie here trying to diagnose a shifting problem.

I have a 1960 (I think. That's another story) single cab that came with an EMPI hurst style shifter. I wanted to go back to stock so I collected all the parts I was missing (stick, knob, reverse lockout plate) and put it in. I believe they are all original, not aftermarket. The EMPI shifted ok into each gear although it wasn't well adjusted.

With the stock setup, it feels nice and tight but goes into reverse without pressing down. It won't go into 2nd and hits a hard stop instead of going into 1st. It's like it's always in the down position.

The first stick I put in was too long below the bell-shaped spring stop so I couldn't push down at all. This one is slightly shorter by maybe 1cm and pushes down like normal. I do wonder still if there could be a compatibility issue with these parts.

The bushings that I can see underneath look good. The shift rod has some play inside the tube, not sure if that's normal.

I saw one other post describing something similar which turned out to be an issue with how the shift rod was connected to the gearbox. I'm not yet familiar with how that connection is made.

[EverettB]

I'm not sure if this is an issue but you have a Bay Window shifter base with the cutouts on the side.

I don't know if there are some size differences with that base that affect things.

Does anyone else know?

I did verify you have the correct 60-66 shifter according to the shifter thread on the site:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=190619

If you had the one with a longer bottom part before, that was probably a 66-67 shifter.

Your lock-out plate is in the correct orientation too
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[Eric&Barb]

Got a feeling that the cut in the side of the post-1967 shifter base is there for an identifying reason.......

Try loosening the shifter base up a tad and slide it over to the left. The tighten the base bolts back down and test.
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[MTBer]

Hey, I'm from Olympia! I was in the first class at Black Hills that spent all 4 years there.

I've tried mounting it all the way to the left and to the right. Didn't help.

Thanks for the link Everett, that helped clarify some things. It does seem possible that this shifter base being for a bay window could be the source of my problem. If it's too short, it would hold the shifter down. I'll see if I can find another base.