Hi, usually this problem is transmission related but I proved it to myself by driving the car with the boot removed and this never happened. With the shifter in 2nd or 4th, the folds in the boot are all in contact and bunched tightly together, like a rubber spring against the shifter. Because the engine/trans are not mounted rigidly to the body, they move relative to each other. Hit a dip or bump in the road and boing, the shift pops out. This is partially exacerbated by the fit of the console, there is a piece of flat trim which I have enlarged the opening to make clearance for the boot. Seems like a prior owner may have replaced the boot with an aftermarket part because the plate which holds this to the transmission tunnel has screws positioned differently. Don't know the manufacturer. If someone has had this experience and found a replacement boot that is more flexible.

It's been ages since I've had any shifting issues, but I long ago learned that the very first thing to do is to make sure the collar that holds the shift lever in place is screwed on tightly.

Although this does sound like a problem with the boot, this can happen when the transmission mount, the rubber puck, goes soft due to oil contamination. Gear lever then moves around a lot in the boot.

Derek, thanks for your tip as well. Rick

It sounds like you have the wrong boot. AS I recall, the correct boot is formed such that the shift lever hole is angled slightly aftward to better align with the lever angle.

Example:
https://www.ipdusa.com/products/7274/Shifter-Boot-1800-142-144-145-for-Volvo-Aftermarket-VR129-681560-110193

Chris, thanks for that tip and link to part at IPDUSA. It's inexpensive and specifically listed for 70-73 1800E and ES applications.

Chris, further to what I replied, I found this boot and think I like the angle it is showing, as if in the 2/4 shifted position. The IPD part actually looks closer to what I might have already, without taking it apart to confirm it's shape.

https://classicvolvorestoration.com/product/gear-shift-boot-140-67-71-black/

Hello,

If the entire shift boot is currently installed so it's inside the car, try tucking the large flange through the shift hole so the flange opens up under the car. You may have to remove the console and you may have to get under the car to get the flange to open up fully.

All of the 544, 122 and early 140 manual transmission floor mounted shift boots are installed with the shift boot installed this way.
--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com

Eric, thanks, another good tip. I will look into this over the winter. Rick

I finally took a look at the illustrated parts list I have. For models E/ES it calls for p/n 681560 "Gear Lever Gator".

Derek is right on about checking those motor mounts. I recall having that issue on our old 140 - worn motor mounts allowed the engine/trans to slump aftward causing your exact issue.