Can detent plate cause starter cut-off?
Have a 1963 T-Bird and even though the shifter is a bit "loose", it doesn't slip out of position at all. What it does do, is it is preventing the car from starting unless you hand-hold the shifter in a specific position - too far up or down, the car won't crank.
Is a worn detent plate to blame for this? Would replacing it solve the problem? If not, is there a way I can bypass this cutoff switch on the shifter so that I don't need to hold the shifter in position to start the car?
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Why you need a new detent plate for your 61-63 T-Bird
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Why you need a new detent plate for your 61-63 T-Bird
This is a picture of a Squarebird detent plate that is worn. Mine. It is not entirely in focus, but you should be able to see the various worn areas on it. You can see where it was worn across the bar that goes to the parking slot. Also along the open bottom section on the left and right tips.Attached FilesLeave a comment:
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Has anybody a picture of a worn detent plate they could post on here?
Mine was so hard that I couldn't mark it with a file so I'm surprised they wear at all!
The shift-lever end is another matter....it's lots softer and wears...Leave a comment:
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Thanks
Thanks Ray. I sent Marianne ans e-mail, could you check your PM.Leave a comment:
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Why you need a new detent plate for your 61-63 T-Bird
Hi Joe,
Our Co-Founder, Alexander Sosiak, passed on at age 50 a couple of years ago due to cancer. Since then, his sister, Marianne, has taken over the Detent Plate program, retaining his email address . So she should have received that PM. However, if she does not have her settings set to receive notification of a PM on the Forum, she will not know it. I will send her an email alerting her. Here is her email address also, so that you and others who might have questions regarding Detent Plates, can contact her directly. This information is posted else where on the Forum, but you would have to dig for it.
Marianne - 59tbird@prodigy.netLeave a comment:
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Contact
Hi all, I'm trying ot get ahold of Alexander thru PM and I'm not sure if he is available. I would like to ask him a question regarding the shipping for a detent plate. Does anyone know how I can contact him?
ThanksLeave a comment:
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The cost of the '61-63 Thunderbird detent plate is now $35. It is improved.
You can see that this detent plate is much different than what was put in at the factory. You will notice the difference in the park position and shifting when you put it in you T-Bird. The car will lock into the park slot and the large added stop will prevent the lever from popping from Park to Reverse at idle.
See:http://www.squarebirds.org/detent_thunderbird61-63.htm
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As far as I know, I am the only one manufacturing the '61 to '63 Thunderbird detent plate, and certainly the only one with a improved design. I sell them on this site, or you can get them from Bob's Bird House or Pat Wilson.
It will make a remarkable improvement in your gear selection. I have had many compliments on the plates. No complaints so far.
There are detent plates available for the 1964-66, but they are just reproductions. I don't make them.Leave a comment:
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I've got a '66, the same problem existed on it regarding slipping out of Park, from Reverse into Drive etc.
I ended up using a new cutting disc on a grinder and made notches at the suitable locations on the detent plate, it was nerve-wracking but it all panned out and now it stays in whatever gear I put it in.
However, having said that I would like to know if these 'improved' detent plates are available from Alexander or other suppliers?Leave a comment:
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Detent Plate
Just to chime in on the detent plate. I have had one installed
from Alexander on my 58 and to say it was like black and white, would be an understatement. The secure nature of this plate not only got rid of the " waggle " on the shift lever but also I now have full confidence, it when it is in park, it is in park. This in itself prevents any slippage do to wear.
I would reccommend anyone, who is having these shift lever problems to invest, in these new detent plates from Alexander.
Dano Calgary,Alberta CanadaLeave a comment:
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Glad the detent plate has cured your shifting problems. Thanks for the compliment on my design.
Are any pictures usable that you have? I would like to put up instructions for the '61-63.Leave a comment:
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Guest repliedDetent plate replaced
Well between general procrastination and other "honey-do" project work, 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...
The 58-60 replacement instructions worked fine as reference for my start & stop work. I did take a few reference snapshots during the dissassembly, unfortuantely focus was a bit unclear on a couple of the key differentiations between the 58-60 and the 62.
Well now on to rebuilding the front suspension, lower control arm bushings are shot- along with other loosey-goose parts.
Thanks to all who replied.Leave a comment:
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With your new shift lever, if you put in this redesigned detent plate, you will feel a difference. The shift lever will hold firmer in park.Leave a comment:
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I had this problem when I bought my 62 about 2 years ago. Turns out the shift lever can also get rounded off (there is a tab that I believe hits the detent plate) and it gets rounded off on the back. After that happens the lever can roll right between gears. I was told to test it by rolling through the gears - if there is little or no resistance when you hit each one, it could be the lever. I replaced mine and it has been fine since.
Didn't mean to hijack your thread, just wanted to offer another point to look at if your car tries to get away from you.Leave a comment:
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Guest repliedRE: Why you need a new detent plate for your 61-63 T-Bi
There is also another area that seems to affect this problem..
The Trans control selector bearing (which is more like a rubber grommet or a bushing around the steering column at the firewall) plays a role in supporting the steering column. A worn "bearing" lets alot of the weight of the steering column rest on the shift linkage. This along with a worn detent, helps shift it right out of park. The "bearing"/bushing is available for 10 bucks or so at most of the parts houses.
MW
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