shifter arms w/ center plaster spacer. spacer has not been rotated back 90 degrees yet


shifter housing seems like it should set lower down on the column. only way this happens is when the inner shifter tube locks into the shorter shifter arm. when that occurs, i cannot rotate the center spacer to lock it in place in the tube.


the center plaster spacer before inserting in between shifter arms
I am rebuilding my steering column on my 1966 F250. does anybody know how to set the shift levers in place with respect to that thick center spacer piece? When i get the inner shifting tube to lock in with the short shifting arm, i cannot rotate the center plaster spacer back the 90 degrees needed to lock that piece in the tube. when i pull the inner shifting tube out just a tiny bit so that its no longer locked into the shorter shift arm, i can then easily rotate the plastic center spacer piece 90 degrees. problem is, when i do this, the shift arm housing does not fully cover the wires and it looks very much to me like this piece (the shift lever housing and inner tube) are not set all the way down as i think they should be.

see attached pictures.

does anybody know the right way to do this?

thanks!!

craig.

 

Fortunately been several years since disassembling the 3 speed column one of the problems I experienced was with the 2 dogged eared collar retaining bolts and nuts in position while aligning other components? If you have not cut the horn and turnsignal wires I used a mini screw driver and tweezers to remove the pins from the connector there's a tool used for same purpose believe chad is the member who mentioned in similar thread?

Came across an article may find helpful?
The Ford 3-Speed Manual-Shift Column Explored - FORDification.com

 

Ya, these are sort of the fool-proof way to remove the molex connectors (two different tools for two different sized pins that are often used in various applications). But like Dave said, a small screwdriver, tweezers and some patience and they will come out without damaging them.



Chad

 

here is a video of 68 column rebuild that I referenced, which actually may have steered me the wrong way ( I think)

I had the same problem on my 65
I read the above Fordification write up and thought the same thing and attempted like crazy to turn it 90 degrees after tube was in. The video also shows this as well
I put back together without turning 90 and took it to a local shop that specialized in classics
I told him that I saw the video of having to turn it 90 and he looked at my assembly and mounted it to his bench and ran through the shift pattern several times and it worked like it should.
He said I had it right from the start and was not aware of having to turn the washer 90 after tube was inserted
I installed and have been driving it for about 1 year now with no problems

I went back to article and realized it said to turn it 90 in order to install the washer, then rotate it back 90, but did not say to turn it back once the tube was in. It explains to disassemble it you pull tube out which will release the shifter arms and then rotate the thick washer to get it out. Nothing about rotating it prior to pulling tube out.

I obviously misread the well written article, which caused me to miss a few hours I did not get back.

Based on your description, it sounds like you had it right also

 

Great feed back on the article, I intend bookmarking comments by bert65 for future reference. !!