No Reverse on 4 speed
 

1980 4 speed manual. Hi everyone, thanks to your help I'm making progress. Got it started after carb rebuild. Then a new master cylinder allowed me to try and drive it for the first time. No reverse, which is what I was told by the person who had it sitting in the garage for 5 years (that is why it was sitting in his garage for 5 years). When I put the shifter into where reverse should be, it goes moves forward instead of back. Perhaps the idler gear is not moving properly into place?

Two things: first, I'm interested in your thoughts on this.
Second, I'm ready to start taking off the tranny, but is there anything else I should diagnose or test before I do that?

Thanks!

You could split the case to ensure the shiftier arm is engaging.

I assume this is something I can do while the tranny is still attached? Take a look at the pictures below. By "split", do you mean that I split it at the bolts indicated on the picture? I suppose I could remove the cross mount and remove those bolts to split it. Should I also remove the shifter and take a look from above? Or is there some other access point?

Thanks
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...3bc5337807.jpg
view from below
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...35d3be32fb.jpg

You could but it would be a pain. You need enough room to be able to get your hand inside the trans to move those dogs if they are out of wack. You also need to be able to seal it back.

Okay. So do you recommend that I simply take off the entire trans and then take a look? I'm guessing there is no getting around having to take the whole thing off the car.

Take the shifter out first just to ensure something isn't broke inside. If it looks normal, then drop the trans.