sloppy shifting

[ruzzzell]

Indicator alignment is off and it pops out of park pretty easy, i was curious if anyone know how to fix this. I'm sure I could figure it out but if I need some parts, then I might as well order them. 1960 bird.

[Alexander]

RE: sloppy shifting

What wears out is the end of the shift lever. It gets rounded out. The shift collar holes for the roll pin for the shift lever also gets enlarged and oval. You are lucky, both these pieces are now reproduced. These pieces were very scarce previously as NOS.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[Guest]

RE: sloppy shifting

The '60 T'bird that I had as my 1st car had the same problem. Man, I miss that car!

[Alexander]

RE: sloppy shifting

Welcome to the board Marcia!

A worn shift lever was a very common problem on Fords of this era. It is a hazard, as unlike GM cars where the transmission position has detents in the transmision to hold each position in place, the shift lever on the Fords is responsible for this. When the shift lever is worn, the Fords had a tendency to pop out of park into reverse.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[ruzzzell]

RE: sloppy shifting

Just ordered a new shifter arm. Going to install it this weekend. thanks for all the info, Russ.

[1960Bird]

RE: sloppy shifting

My shifting is not only sloppy, but it is off register about one space ie: Reverse is netural low 1 is low 2 etc. I have no actual low only gear...in the low position it goes 1-2-3 Is this the same fix and what parts do I need.Thanks



Steve Ronk
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1960 HT 390 cu in, Edelbrock RPM intake, 3.70 rear gears

[Alexander]

RE: sloppy shifting

It is basically the same fix. The indicator position can be adjusted.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[Guest]

RE: sloppy shifting

I guess I will be the one to ask, how do you adjust the shift indicator? I installed a new lever today and fixed the oblong holes in the shift collar, but the collar will move up and down slightly.This causes the readings to be sloppy.It does go into all positions positively. Thanks



1960 Hardtop

[Alexander]

RE: sloppy shifting

http://www.squarebirds.org/images/transmission_linkage.jpg

[ol]To adjust the transmission indicator:

[li]Turn off the engine. Put on the parking brake and chock the wheels.

[li]Disconnect the upper end of the manual shift rod (shown in green) and clevis (shown in blue) from the shift selector lever (shown in red)

[li]Position the selector lever so that the pointer is down against the steering column stop in the D1 position.

[li]Shift the manual lever on the transmission to the D1 detent position (second click from the bottom).

[li]Rotate the clevis on the manual shift rod until it can be easily inserted on the selector lever pin. Then lengthen the rod by turning the clevis three turns clockwise.

[li]Lock the clevis in place, and connect the rod and clevis to the selector lever.

[li]Check the pointer alignment for the positions of the selector lever. You can then fine tune the rotation of the clevis if it is not acceptable at that point.[/ol]

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[1960Bird]

RE: sloppy shifting

Alexander, What parts do we need for this and where can we get them. Macs Antique Auto parts does not sell a gear shift lever for the 58-60. They do have the pin and the rubber bushing. Do you know of a supplier that would have all the parts needed.

Steve Ronk
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1960 HT 390 cu in, Edelbrock RPM intake, 3.70 rear gears

[Alexander]

RE: sloppy shifting

The gear shift lever is reproduced for 1958-60 Thunderbird. Bob's Bird House and Pat Wilson have them along with other Thunderbird supliers.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[Guest]

RE: sloppy shifting

Thank you Alexander for the clear instructions and excellent illustration.I really like this site.
Randall
1960 Hardtop

[Alexander]

RE: sloppy shifting

Thanks for the compliment. I am trying to make this the best place on the Internet for Squarebird information.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[Guest]

RE: sloppy shifting

I installed a new lever today and fixed the oblong holes in the shift collar,

What is considered the shift collar? I too am replacing my shifter handle on my 1960 thunderbird because it barely goes into park should this fix my problem..


Thanks Matt

[Alexander]

RE: sloppy shifting

The shift collar is part 7228 as shown in the diagram above. It is now being reproduced. It retails for about $100.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top