1987 F250 351w with 4bbl carburetor. I have been chasing an issue for weeks and finally, i think found it. I had an ignition swtich going bad in combination with a gummed up lock cylinder and ignition push rod. I removed the lock cylinder cleaned everything and replaced the ignition switch.

here is my dilemma....

there are a series of notches where the gear shift handle goes from gear to gear this is inside the column at the end of the shift lever..sort of like steps. The one for park is a deeper notch and hence why you have to pull the handle towards you. As you do, a lever on the steering column end of the shift handle goes out and around the "park" notch then on to the "steps" for each gear.

My handle will not go far enough counter-clockwise to go back in the notch for park..I have tried everything and cant get it to align correctly or go back far enough to go in the park notch

the column will go together however the shift level is not aligned and the push rod for the ignition switch will not travel the proper distance either..

does anyone know what is wrong or how to fix/align it?? my column pictured here

 

You have this problem after replacing the ignition switch?


Is the switch itself stopping this travel?


If you've not changed or removed anything check for an adjustment at the switch.

 

Good idea, I thought the same, however the switch is not the issue. right now the switch is not in place...that end of the rod is not attached to anything. The rod itself doesnt move properly because for some reason the steering wheel end of things isnt lined up correctly..

however i cant seem to get things to line up such the the shifter will move counter clockwise to the Park notch and the push rod will move the proper distance...the push rod is being stopped by something as well. i did not take that part of the column apart I left it intact. however taking everying else out the column was "loose"

 

<p>the shift linkage may be out of adjustment. block the tires and get under the truck.loosen the nut for the shift linkage on the arm coming down from the column. make it nice and loose so you can move it in the slider.</p><p>then try putting the shift lever in park. and run it through the gears. if everything works, then you can adjust the shifter.</p><p>according to the book, you need to put the shifter in drive and hang an eight lb weight to the shift lever to hold it place, and then go under the truck and manually shift the trans into drive. run the trans lever all the way to the rear, then forward two clicks. tighten up the nut and remove the weight. i do it the same way, but do not use the weight</p>