E Clips or Snap rings
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 9
From: Thornton, Colorado
E Clips or Snap rings
I was driving my 66 down the street yesterday, and I went to shift from first to second, and it jammed. I thought at first I had jammed it between gears a common ailment to these old trucks. Specifically if the cab mounts are bad or if the shift rods are bent. I didn't think either of these were the case, and as it turns out I was right. The rear shift rod lost its clip, and came loose and was jamming the front rod. I was only a block from home and stuck in first so I limped it home slow, and pulled into the garage. Now I have bought 4 different E clips and they all look like the one I pulled from the front, but they fit like a saddle on a sow.
I am wondering for durability, and longevity, should I get snap rings?
What was stock?
I am wondering for durability, and longevity, should I get snap rings?
What was stock?
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 825
Likes: 2
From: Dallas, Texas
I would like to see how this turns out. I am assuming the shift rods look like mine and have a milled slot maybe 1/4" from the end of the rod for the clip?
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 707
Likes: 2
From: Sauk City, WI
Depending on how bad your linkage is, you may not need to do this. You may be able to just get away with drilling a hole in the rod for a cotter pin and using a washer. Mine was completely shot, so a new piece was in order.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 9
From: Thornton, Colorado
My rods are in near perfect shape, other than the clips having a problem falling off. I looked close at them, and they are original, and they have the groove about a 1/4 inch from the end.
They are threaded shafts with a screwed on piece that has a nut on each side to keep it in place.
I thought about pulling the adjustment piece from the shaft, and taking it and finding the right clip, but I don't want to lose the adjustment. My truck shifts so nice compared to my last 3 on the tree I fear messing with it.
They are threaded shafts with a screwed on piece that has a nut on each side to keep it in place.
I thought about pulling the adjustment piece from the shaft, and taking it and finding the right clip, but I don't want to lose the adjustment. My truck shifts so nice compared to my last 3 on the tree I fear messing with it.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 707
Likes: 2
From: Sauk City, WI
In that case I would just mark where the adjustment sits right now with a piece of tape, a sharpie marker may be good enough or just measure from a known point where the adjuster sits. Take it apart and to the hardware store. I think it will be a crapshoot for you to find the correct clip otherwise.
Like I said, mine was full on junk. And that was 16-17 years ago, heh. Hard for me to remember that far back.
Like I said, mine was full on junk. And that was 16-17 years ago, heh. Hard for me to remember that far back.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 825
Likes: 2
From: Dallas, Texas
Bum,
The adjustment piece is held in position by the two nuts. Just take off the entire rod and the adjustment won't change!
The adjustment piece is held in position by the two nuts. Just take off the entire rod and the adjustment won't change!
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
I was driving my 66 down the street yesterday, and I went to shift from first to second, and it jammed. I thought at first I had jammed it between gears a common ailment to these old trucks.
Specifically if the cab mounts are bad or if the shift rods are bent or (and far more common), if the two rubber bushings in the column's selector levers harden up, then crack apart. **
I didn't think either of these were the case, and as it turns out I was right. The rear shift rod lost its clip, and came loose and was jamming the front rod. I was only a block from home and stuck in first so I limped it home slow, and pulled into the garage.
Now I have bought 4 different E clips and they all look like the one I pulled from the front, but they fit like a saddle on a sow.
Specifically if the cab mounts are bad or if the shift rods are bent or (and far more common), if the two rubber bushings in the column's selector levers harden up, then crack apart. **
I didn't think either of these were the case, and as it turns out I was right. The rear shift rod lost its clip, and came loose and was jamming the front rod. I was only a block from home and stuck in first so I limped it home slow, and pulled into the garage.
Now I have bought 4 different E clips and they all look like the one I pulled from the front, but they fit like a saddle on a sow.
The originals are 'wavy' spring steel C clips with serrations on the inside: 379620-S100 / 3/4" O.D. ~ 9/16" I.D. / Ford just obsoleted this part.
You don't hafta go very far from your residencia to find these puppies. Just whiz on over to: O'MEARA FORD in Northglenn CO has 7 = 303-254-5050.
There are more elsewhere:
TOWN & COUNTRY FORD in Salida CO has 5 = 719-539-6633.
MANDERBACH FORD in Temple PA has 11 = 610-929-3683.
ROBINSON FORD SALES in Calexico CA has 13 = 760-357-3141.
CROWE FORD in Genesco IL has 14 = 309-944-2127.
GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has 14 = 800-543-4959.
3 on the tree applications: 1965/72 F100/250 / 1966/77 Bronco / 1967/72 F350 / 1969/74 Econoline / 1973/79 F100/150.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** When the bushings that fit into the two steering column selector levers (spring clips-same location) harden up, then crack apart, the shift lever binds up between 1st & 2nd.
C5TZ-7343-A .. Selector Lever Bushing & Insulator Kit / Obsolete / Dozens still available from dealers/obsolete parts vendors.
Fits: 1965/72 F100/250 / 1966/77 Bronco / 1969/74 Econoline.
New User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I replaced my broken clips with E clips from my local Ace Hardware. I had to break out the middle part to get them to stay on (turn them into C-clips I guess) and with the size I bought, I have to use 2 clips at each end of the rod. So far I haven't had any problems with the clips themselves, just an adjustment to make since 1st and Rev are a pain to get into, however, 1->2 is silky smooth now.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 9
From: Thornton, Colorado
I went to Omeara Ford today and bought the clips NumberDummy referred me to. I had my truck up and going in about 4 minutes flat.
I posted the pictures here in case anyone else wondered what the designed clips look like.
Thanks again NumberDummy. Never fail to get me to the right stuff.
I posted the pictures here in case anyone else wondered what the designed clips look like.
Thanks again NumberDummy. Never fail to get me to the right stuff.
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