1961 1962 1963 Thunderbird Detent Plate
This plate replaces your worn 1961-1963 Thunderbird detent plate (Part number 7A216). This is for all cars from these years equipped with automatic transmissions. This will keep your automatic transmission lever more securely in park and make gear selection less vague.
This is not a reproduction. It is better than the original Ford part.
The plate is made of .089 inch low carbon mill steel cut by CAM (computer-aided
machining). It is a bolt in replacement that fits on the shift flange ( 3511
) as shown below.
The new detent plate replace all styles of detent plates from 1961 to 1963.
This new improved detent plate has an added stop made out of a 4-40 thread
stainless-steel bolt and nut that is threaded into the detent plate and secured
with cyano-acrylic
glue. This is higher off the face of the plate and less likely to wear round
with use than the original Ford stamping.
The new detent switch fits all styles of detent plates from 1961 to 1963. Made in USA. It is better than the originals, if you can find one, as it is precision cut on a laser CNC machine. It is more precise and fits better than the original stamping. The slot for park is precisely the diameter of the shift lever end to keep your car more firmly in park.
Don't let this happen to you:
1962 M-series Thunderbird popped into reverse from park because of worn transmission
linkage components, including a worn detent plate.
Comments from satisfied customers of detent plates I have designed:
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I installed mine and the car LOCKS into park now! It's great.
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There is an audible click and you can feel it engage the detent plate. Much more secure and safe.
...the shifting ain't sloppy anymore. -
Thanks to this item I bought from you, it works perfect. Park is no problem anymore.
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...awesome! I installed my shift plate tonite. My car now CLICKS into every gear.
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...The detent plate is first class. I am very happy with the improvement. I wish everything would work that well.
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Installed my plate today, actually was not difficult and went smooth…seems to click into place really nice, mine was not in bad shape at all being low mileage (19,000 miles) but changed it anyway. … yours was a better design to start with.
- I finally got around to replacing the detent plate on my '62. I also replaced the lever and rubber bushing, the collar (housing) seemed to be in pretty good shape so I didn't swap it out. WOW, what a difference. Nice clean engagement, positive stop between positions and a great piece of mind. It's been fun to cruise for the past couple months. Nice job on the detent plate design...
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Wish Ford would have made this part this good!!
It is recommended that the socket assembly (steering collar) for the gear shift lever (part number 7228) and the gear shift lever (part number 7210) and bushing(part numbers B8S 7246-A) also be replaced to restore the shifting action to like new. If the end of your gear shift lever is worn or the hole for the roll pin on your gear shift collar is enlarged or oblong this detent part alone will not cure your sloppy gear shifting. The shift collar and gear shift lever can be bought in reproduction from many of the vintage Thunderbird vendorson our links page.. The B8S 7246-A usually comes with the shift handle.
You can buy the detent plate by clicking on the PayPal link below. The cost is $35.00 plus $2.25 shipping for anywhere in the continental US. Shipping elsewhere is extra cost, please add note when purchasing to obtain cost to ship to your destination.
Instructions for installing this part can be found here.
To pay by check, please send $36.25 ($34 plus $2.25 shipping) to:
Alexander Sosiak
PO Box 754157
Forest Hills, New York 11375-9157