Shifting safer with less slop in a 64 Thunderbird

[Shadrack]

Hey Guys,
I might have already asked this. I apologize if so - I am working on this while taking care of my mom in her last stages, it is keeping me sane. It looks like someone did a neutral switch bypass on my car. I can only reason it to be because of the shifting situation, car probably would not start any longer unless you held the shifter "just right."

I don't want to drop the whole column right now. (I will one day) What parts and from where can I replace with the column in place? I ordered a new shifter so that should help. But what about bushings? If one of you kind souls would let me know what I need to buy (parts or part numbers) that would allow me to improve, maybe not totally fix the sloppy shifter that would be a huge help! I will order from anywhere - just let me know what I should order.

Also, someone said I should adjust the shift linkage - how is that done exactly?

I am hoping to improve the car's shifting and make it a tad safer.

Thanks!
Don

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[didi]

Hey Guys,
I might have already asked this. I apologize if so - I am working on this while taking care of my mom in her last stages, it is keeping me sane. It looks like someone did a neutral switch bypass on my car. I can only reason it to be because of the shifting situation, car probably would not start any longer unless you held the shifter "just right."

I don't want to drop the whole column right now. (I will one day) What parts and from where can I replace with the column in place? I ordered a new shifter so that should help. But what about bushings? If one of you kind souls would let me know what I need to buy (parts or part numbers) that would allow me to improve, maybe not totally fix the sloppy shifter that would be a huge help! I will order from anywhere - just let me know what I should order.

Also, someone said I should adjust the shift linkage - how is that done exactly?

I am hoping to improve the car's shifting and make it a tad safer.

Thanks!
Don

call the tbirdspecialists in tucson az.

 

[Gary Tayman]

I would really like to hear a good, innovative, answer for this. In my opinion, this has to be just about the worst piece of engineering ever put into a car, and it went on for well over a decade before anyone began to address it. Yes, I think it was on the news around 1980, that certain Fords had a tendency to drop out of Park into Reverse by themselves.

In the case of these Thunderbirds, there is a little safety in the fact that the transmission is locked in Park when the steering column is moved to the right. Even so, you have to lift it to start the car, often the parking brake releases by itself, and who knows where you have to be to get the back-up lights to come on.

There are two, possibly three, parts to check to repair this mess. I said "repair" and not "fix" because you can replace and rebuild but the problem will eventually return. Anyway there's the shift lever itself, and the "doughnut" at the bottom of the column that are the worst offenders. That doughnut has a tendency to disintegrate and fall out. The shift lever wears a groove. The third part to check is the detent plate itself.

I've been told it's better to weld away the groove on the lever -- it's harder and wears longer than installing a new lever. As for that doughnut, it's friggin' plastic -- why hasn't some enterprising machinist come up with a brass or aluminum replacement that could be installed easier and would last longer? As for the detent plate, it seems I've seen new plates available on the internet, that have a bit more detent than factory, and thus will hold the lever in place better. I've seen them for several years, but not the 64. Again -- any machinists out there willing to try?

My own 64 is ready to get the rebuild once more. Oh, if I could fix it for good!

 

[Dj-Dan]

I bought a new neutral switch and had it installed. It only worked for a little bit. I had the indent plate replaced and the under the hood new gasket that holds the shifter to the steering column. It still went out of align. It frustrated me so much that I pulled the neutral switch. I can live without back up lights.

 

[40birds]

If your trying to do this quick without to much hassle then I would change the lower column bushing( in engine compartment) and upper bearing sleeve. At this point I would guess yours are dust so you won’t probably find much up top other than crumbled pieces. When your sitting in the car holding the wheel can you feel movement up and down? I’d also say your handle will have a groove well worn into it but at least you can get the column tightened back up. As far as parts go, get that kit from Wilson’s you had in your other post, your going to need all those pieces even though your only changing a couple right now. Even with all those parts changed I still chock the wheel on mine as a precaution.

 

[64ZCODE]

Hey Don. The shift mechanism in the column has a detent that holds the shifter in position for each of the gears. Similarly the tranny has an internal detent that does the same thing.

Theoretically (I’ve never done this) you can detach the shifter linkage at the tranny, then put both the shifter mechanism and tranny in the Park positions, then re-connect the shifter linkage at the tranny and voila! the two are now synced.

If you decide to try this, please take pictures and document.

Doug

 

[fordrodsteven]

Hey Don. The shift mechanism in the column has a detent that holds the shifter in position for each of the gears. Similarly the tranny has an internal detent that does the same thing.

Theoretically (I’ve never done this) you can detach the shifter linkage at the tranny, then put both the shifter mechanism and tranny in the Park positions, then re-connect the shifter linkage at the tranny and voila! the two are now synced.

If you decide to try this, please take pictures and document.

Doug

I don't think it's as simple as putting both in Park and reconnct the linkage. There should be adjustment that you can make on the linkage. Yes.... unhook the linkage and put the column shift and the transmission lever both in park. Adjust the linkage so it easily fits up without moving the column shift or transmission lever. THEN they are "synced" up. This procedure insures that the pawl inside the transmission is in the park lock position and also that the shifter is in the park detent lock position.

 

[40birds]

You won’t be able to get the linkage adjusted properly as long as there is slop in the column. That’s also why adjusting the neutral safety switch won’t help until you remedy the play in the column.

 

[fordrodsteven]

You won’t be able to get the linkage adjusted properly as long as there is slop in the column. That’s also why adjusting the neutral safety switch won’t help until you remedy the play in the column.

Yes, but short term he may be able to improve on the car shifting into proper gears when he moves the column shifter.

 

[64ZCODE]

Don already ordered a new shift lever. How about installing that then going from there? Might be good enough for now.

 

[Shadrack]

I bought a new neutral switch and had it installed. It only worked for a little bit. I had the indent plate replaced and the under the hood new gasket that holds the shifter to the steering column. It still went out of align. It frustrated me so much that I pulled the neutral switch. I can live without back up lights.

This is about where I am at, I just want to be as safe as I can. I am still working towards getting the car in my name. I need to put a water pump on it so the steering won't squeal (ear broke off-pump - I know weird). I also need to get the carb in shape which you guys have helped with so much

 

[Shadrack]

I don't think it's as simple as putting both in Park and reconnct the linkage. There should be adjustment that you can make on the linkage. Yes.... unhook the linkage and put the column shift and the transmission lever both in park. Adjust the linkage so it easily fits up without moving the column shift or transmission lever. THEN they are "synced" up. This procedure insures that the pawl inside the transmission is in the park lock position and also that the shifter is in the park detent lock position.

Thank you - I very much Steve - all of you - I will get back and post later, my mom is calling - just saying thanks. ill be back!

 

[Shadrack]

Don already ordered a new shift lever. How about installing that then going from there? Might be good enough for now.

I am hoping this is true lol! As soon as it pass the PITA inspection like Steve said I think I will look into a total rebuild of the column.

By the way, got the headlight switch from Larrys...it doesn't look much different from the one I bought on Amazon. I'll try it and see if it solves the issue of the switch sticking out like a foot, if not...kinda going to want my money back.

 

[64ZCODE]

I am hoping this is true lol! As soon as it pass the PITA inspection like Steve said I think I will look into a total rebuild of the column.

By the way, got the headlight switch from Larrys...it doesn't look much different from the one I bought on Amazon. I'll try it and see if it solves the issue of the switch sticking out like a foot, if not...kinda going to want my money back.

Don, what's the part number for the switch from Larry's?

 

[Shadrack]

Don, what's the part number for the switch from Larry's?

LOL, egg on my face - I compared what I received and what is online and it is the same - sorry Larry's and sorry guys!