Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1949 Packard Problem, gearshift lever, shift lever

Question
QUESTION: I have driven my '49 Packard Custom Eight (with OD) many trouble-free years but ran into this problem a couple weeks ago.  I parked the car with the gearshift in the reverse position, as is my habit.  When I tried to drive the car again, the gearshift lever was locked in the reverse position.  (I keep the OD locked out as I live in the CA hill country).  I can, with considerable effort, manage to move the shift lever between reverse position and neutral and back again.  Do I have an "under the hood" shift lever problem.  If so, how do I correct it?  Any advice you can give me to correct this condition will be greatly appreciated.  Intuition tells me that I should engage the OD (push the button in) but I have not done so because I was once told ,with authority, that the car should be "pulling" to either engage or disengage the OD.  I look forward to hearing from you.  Thanks...,      Jere Brunton

ANSWER: It sound like the car could be parked on an incline with the weight of the car pushing on the drivetrain. If so, block the front wheel substantially, jack up the rear and see if this does not alleviate the problem. If it does, i would run it a little while with the wheels freewheeling in the air. Be sure a apply the brake before shifting from drive to reverse.

It may be necessary to do the actual shifting with a hammer or pry bar under the hood. You do not elaborate as to what you "under the hood" shifting problem is.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Tazz -  I appreciate the prompt response but there seems to be confusion as to the type of transmission I have.  It is a standard (3 on the tree) transmission with OD.  When you say "before shifting from drive to reverse" it sounds like you are referring to an automatic transmission.  Please review the original question, with the confusion having been cleared up.  Thanks again...,      Jere Brunton

Answer
if you run a STANDARD with the wheels off the ground and shift from first, second or third (drive) gears into reverse without putting on the brake on, you will grind gears off. If just going to neutral, it won't hurt anything.

Trying to fix your actual problem, I wish you would have elaborated on the "under the hood" shifting problems. Sounds like your dog ears are misaligned.