66 Ford F100 Shift Issues
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66 Ford F100 Shift Issues
I have a 66 Ford F100, Shortbed, 240 Inline 6 with a manual 3 speed column shift. I am having trouble shifting. First and reverse are fine, but not 2nd and 3rd. It feels like there isn't even a 2nd or 3rd gear. It won't cross over to those gears. I replaced the lower bushings for the linkage and the upper ones look fine. What could the problem be? Could parts in the column be worn out or broken?
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If it were me, I would take the column apart. If you could put it into the 2-3 position but not the gears, I would guess the syncro or the fork, but if you can't even get it into position, it has to be somewhere in the linkages.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
I have a 66 Ford F100, Shortbed, 240 Inline 6 with a manual 3 speed column shift. I am having trouble shifting. First and reverse are fine, but not 2nd and 3rd.
It feels like there isn't even a 2nd or 3rd gear. It won't cross over to those gears (shift lever binds up between 1st & 2nd).
I replaced the lower bushings for the linkage
and the upper ones look fine ('looks' can be deceiving).
It feels like there isn't even a 2nd or 3rd gear. It won't cross over to those gears (shift lever binds up between 1st & 2nd).
I replaced the lower bushings for the linkage
and the upper ones look fine ('looks' can be deceiving). 
Do NOT take the column apart! If the shift lever will engage 1st & reverse, there is nothing wrong inside it! / Scroll down to see parts catalog pics.There are no lower bushings on the transmission where the rods connect. So where are the bushings located you replaced?
Bottom of the steering column under the hood are the two manual control selector levers (7302 & 7303 in pic) that the shift rods from the trans attach to.
In each one of these levers is a rubber bushing and insulator.
The bushings age crack, the shift lever binds up between 1st and 2nd. Very common problem on these trucks.
C5TZ-7343-A .. Bushing & Insulator Kit / Obsolete
1965/72 F100/250 with 3 M/T & 1965/71 F100 with 3 M/T with O/D.
NOS PARTS LTD in Waxahachie TX has 8 = 972-937-2201.
GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has 18 = 800-543-4959.
PARTS INTERNATIONAL in Farmers Branch TX has 26 = 888-727-0418.
CARPENTER NOS OBSOLETE PARTS in Concord NC has 1,775 (!) = 800-476-9653.
Left: Where are the lower bushings on the trans levers? No see um / Right: 1965/72 F100/250 2WD & 1967/72 F350 steering column.
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I can move the linkage by hand into each gear and I can move the transmission arms into gear, I just can't do it from the shifter.When I shift from the column, the first and reverse lever arm moves, but the 2nd and 3rd won't really move at all. It's almost like something is stopping the shifter from crossing over to 2nd and 3rd. Column or linkage?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Asheville, NC
From reading what you have posted so far these are my thoughts and observations:
1) There were no bushings (as original) where the shift rods connect to the tranny shift levers - bushings were only present where the linkage rods attach to the shift levers on the steering column - make sure there is not excessive play here.
2) Worn cab mount insulators or rusted cab mounts allow the front of the cab to drop which interferes with the geometry of the shift linkage - make sure they are OK
3) There are several parts involved in moving from the R/1st shift gate to the 2nd/3rd shift gate within the steering column that could be responsible including the shift lever, shift lever insulator (rubber piece at column end of lever), Shift collar, and shift tube.
Disconnect the linkage rods from the steering column and see if you can obtain both gates with the steering column isolated.
1) There were no bushings (as original) where the shift rods connect to the tranny shift levers - bushings were only present where the linkage rods attach to the shift levers on the steering column - make sure there is not excessive play here.
2) Worn cab mount insulators or rusted cab mounts allow the front of the cab to drop which interferes with the geometry of the shift linkage - make sure they are OK
3) There are several parts involved in moving from the R/1st shift gate to the 2nd/3rd shift gate within the steering column that could be responsible including the shift lever, shift lever insulator (rubber piece at column end of lever), Shift collar, and shift tube.
Disconnect the linkage rods from the steering column and see if you can obtain both gates with the steering column isolated.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
If the shift lever on the steering column will engage reverse or 1st gear, and the truck can be driven backwards or forwards, there is nothing wrong with the shift collar or any other related parts inside the column.
The shift lever binds up between 1st and 2nd because the two rubber bushings in the column selector arms age crack.
When this occurs, to get the lever unstuck, you have to free it by hand.
I was a Ford partsman for 35 years, owned a 1965 F100 8' Styleside 3 M/T with O/D for 44 years.
Because so many FTE members have experienced the same problem as you, I've typed this same info over 500 times .. so I know what the hell I'm speaking about.
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How can I fix the the rubber bushings in the selector arms? Should I just replace the bushings or should i replace the whole selector arm?
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
If the shift lever can engage 1st and reverse, and the truck can be driven in 1st & reverse, there is nothing wrong with any parts inside the steering column.
But, if the shift lever flops around, won't engage any gear: The pot metal shift collar contains an internal bridge that connects it to the shift tube.
Over time, the bridge begins to crack, eventually breaks off. Now it's impossible to engage any gear, as the collar is no longer connected to the shift tube.
The shift collar is locked into place by a rectangular piece that is sweated onto the shift tube. This piece can fall off the tube...down inside the column.
The rectangular piece can be spot welded back on, or the shift tube replaced.
================================================
Harypitts: The selector levers on the column do not come with the bushings and insulators, as these parts were only furnished by themselves as a kit.
Get a C5TZ-7343-A Bushing & Insulator Kit, disconnect and remove the two shift rods, then install the bushings and insulators in the levers.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 860
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From: Asheville, NC
There are two indexes on the shift tube. One for each gate. I hate to disagree with Bill, but based on my limited experience I still guess the problem is within the column. Sorry Bill, please do not make me look to stupid.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
If the truck can be shifted into 1st and reverse gear and driven, the problem cannot be caused by any parts inside the steering column.
Here's the exploded pic of the steering column showing all its internal/external parts.
What other part(s) besides the selector lever bushings and insulators...could cause the shift lever to bind up between 1st & 2nd...based on your analogy?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 860
Likes: 13
From: Asheville, NC
If you examine the index notches on the two shift levers that connect to the shift tube in the steering column you will see two different notch patterns. This difference is translated through the shift lever as to the driver and away from the driver to separate two distinct shift gates. The default shift gate will work while access to the second shift gate requiring components within the steering column to access the second gate may not work. First and reverse can work fine, but if you cannot access the other "gate" (ie control the other lever) you cannot obtain 2nd and 3rd. I just shortened a 3 on the tree column and will reassemble it this weekend so will reassess my assumptions with the benefit of a real world exploded view and the necessity of functional reassembly. I will post back in a couple of days as to my state of moron or zen.