'76 shift linkage adjustment problem
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'76 shift linkage adjustment problem
I am having a problem trying to get my shift linkage properly adjusted. The background; it is a '76 F-250 that originally was a 2 wheel drive with a 360 engine and a C6 transmission. When I had a shifter problem I installed another steering column which I thought worked OK. I got out of the truck to get the mail and it dropped out of park into reverse and I totaled it out. The frame was bent, the box went into the cab, etc. At that time I had a 460 engine and C6 in the truck.
I moved the cab on to a "77 highboy frame with a 400 engine and C6. I cannot get the shift adjusted right. I can get it into park when I am holding up the lever. It drops out when I release the upward pressure on the lever. the other positions do not fit right either. I had a Ford mechanic tell me there is a difference in the steering columns and I need to find the right one. I measured the shifter arm length on the existing column and compared it to the arm on my '77 F-350 with a 460 and my '79 Bronco with a 400 and they are all the same length. Is there a difference in the amount of travel in the columns? Or is there a difference in the columns? Any hepl would be greatly appreciated. I do not dare get out of the truck when it is running.
I moved the cab on to a "77 highboy frame with a 400 engine and C6. I cannot get the shift adjusted right. I can get it into park when I am holding up the lever. It drops out when I release the upward pressure on the lever. the other positions do not fit right either. I had a Ford mechanic tell me there is a difference in the steering columns and I need to find the right one. I measured the shifter arm length on the existing column and compared it to the arm on my '77 F-350 with a 460 and my '79 Bronco with a 400 and they are all the same length. Is there a difference in the amount of travel in the columns? Or is there a difference in the columns? Any hepl would be greatly appreciated. I do not dare get out of the truck when it is running.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
There are many different columns for these trucks but I don't think that's your problem.
It sounds like the trans linkage isn't "locking" in the park position. There are a few things you can check, all of them involve excess wear.
First, and this is a relatively common problem, there is a detent plate in the steering column. The shifter has a "dog" (tooth) on it that will engage this plate to keep it in the selected position. If the plate wears, the shifter won't stay in the selected position.
Next, the hole is the shift arm the the linkage connects to and the stud that connects it to the shifter rod can wear and cause excess play in the linkage.
Here's what the worn stud looks like, the hole in the arm can wear just as bad.
It sounds like the trans linkage isn't "locking" in the park position. There are a few things you can check, all of them involve excess wear.
First, and this is a relatively common problem, there is a detent plate in the steering column. The shifter has a "dog" (tooth) on it that will engage this plate to keep it in the selected position. If the plate wears, the shifter won't stay in the selected position.
Next, the hole is the shift arm the the linkage connects to and the stud that connects it to the shifter rod can wear and cause excess play in the linkage.
Here's what the worn stud looks like, the hole in the arm can wear just as bad.
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