Shot in the dark
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
Shot in the dark
Hello,
I realize that this is a truck forum and I enjoy talking about trucks and getting advice. However, I am working on my other toy (67 Ford Fairlane) and I am in need of some help. I am on a Fairlane Forum, but there aren't as many people on the forum and with the knowledge on this forum, I am hoping that someone could help me out.
I replaced my steering column with an aftermarket column. It is a column shift automatic. My issue is that the factory had the backup/neutral safety switch on the column. The engine is a 289 and I am pretty sure the transmission is a C4. Does anyone know of a solution that would work without having to take the new column to be cut and have a new switch installed? Thanks in advance for any and all help and I apologize for bringing a car into the truck forum.
John
I realize that this is a truck forum and I enjoy talking about trucks and getting advice. However, I am working on my other toy (67 Ford Fairlane) and I am in need of some help. I am on a Fairlane Forum, but there aren't as many people on the forum and with the knowledge on this forum, I am hoping that someone could help me out.
I replaced my steering column with an aftermarket column. It is a column shift automatic. My issue is that the factory had the backup/neutral safety switch on the column. The engine is a 289 and I am pretty sure the transmission is a C4. Does anyone know of a solution that would work without having to take the new column to be cut and have a new switch installed? Thanks in advance for any and all help and I apologize for bringing a car into the truck forum.
John
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,996
Likes: 9,883
From: Rio Rancho, NM
I take it that the original neutral safety switch was mounted at the base of the column?
I haven't messed with any of the aftermarket steering columns, I'm a little surprised that the column manufacturers don't have a provision for reverse lights/neutral safety.
Like EBEAR mentioned, didn't some C$'s have the switch on the transmission itself?
I haven't messed with any of the aftermarket steering columns, I'm a little surprised that the column manufacturers don't have a provision for reverse lights/neutral safety.
Like EBEAR mentioned, didn't some C$'s have the switch on the transmission itself?
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 54
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Unfortunately on the 67 Fairlane they made a change to have the nss on the column. The switch that is not on the transmission in that year. I have googled for two days straight. Everything I can find shows that the switch that mounts on the C4 will not work on the 67 Fairlane. It will work on the mustang but not the fairlane. Go figure.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 3,649
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From: Swan River Valley M.B Can
You would have to do a little custom wiring but if the switch will bolt on your trans you should be able to make it work . One of the problems with parts search is that if it doesn't bolt up and plug in they will say it doesn't fit . My guess would be that that if both are available in the same year the wiring colors and quite possibly the plug would be the same .
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2016
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I believe the mustang would have had a floor shifter. The shift lever on the trans would be different than on a column shift car. With that said, I'm not certain, but that might be the issue fitting the trans mounted neutral safety switch.
Can I ask why did you install an aftermarket column? As you are finding out, fixing one issue with aftermarket parts sometimes creates other issues. That's always a sore spot with me when it comes to aftermarket stuff that is not an original reproduction, but claims to be a direct replacement and improves on the original. You always have to go the extra mile to sort through additional issues. In the end, it's sometimes merely different and not better. Enough complaining.
You should be able to source new repro or good used parts to fix the original column. Perogie Enterprises in New Jersey is a good source for used original parts for Ford Mustangs and Fairlanes of this era.
Can I ask why did you install an aftermarket column? As you are finding out, fixing one issue with aftermarket parts sometimes creates other issues. That's always a sore spot with me when it comes to aftermarket stuff that is not an original reproduction, but claims to be a direct replacement and improves on the original. You always have to go the extra mile to sort through additional issues. In the end, it's sometimes merely different and not better. Enough complaining.
You should be able to source new repro or good used parts to fix the original column. Perogie Enterprises in New Jersey is a good source for used original parts for Ford Mustangs and Fairlanes of this era.
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2019
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From: Vancouver Island, BC
Are you sure you have a C4. Every C4 I have worked on had the switch on the transmission. Ford had an FMX transmission during those years and the safety/backup light switch was in the column or floor shifter. How many pan bolts does it have? 11 is a C4,14 is an FMX
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
C7OZ-7A247-D .. NSS - Use with Column Shift (Motorcraft SW-596) / Obsolete
1967 Falcon/Fairlane all engines w/C4/C6.
-----------------------------------------------
C8OZ-7A247-A (replaced C7OZ-7A247-C) .. NSS - Use with Floor Shift (Motorcraft SW-687) / Obsolete
All engines w/C4/C6: 1967/71 Fairlane // 1968/71 Torino // 1972 Torino before production date 12/1/1971.
> > 1965/72 Ford Passenger Car Parts Catalog pics show the C4/C6 NSS located on the transmission. < <
btw: Every A/T & M/T Mustang from day one has a floor shift.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 250
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From: Vancouver Island, BC
No FMX's until 1968. The OP's 1967 Fairlane 289 has a C4.
C7OZ-7A247-D .. NSS - Use with Column Shift (Motorcraft SW-596) / Obsolete
1967 Fairlane all engines w/C4/C6.
--------------------------------------
C8OZ-7A247-A (replaced C7OZ-7A247-C) .. NSS - Use with floor shift (Motorcraft SW-687) / Obsolete
All engines w/C4/C6: 1967/71 Fairlane // 1968/71 Torino // 1972 Torino before production date 12/1/1971.
> > 1965/72 Ford Passenger Car Parts Catalog pics show the C4 & C6 NSS's located on the transmission. < <
btw: Every Mustang from day one has a floor shift.
C7OZ-7A247-D .. NSS - Use with Column Shift (Motorcraft SW-596) / Obsolete
1967 Fairlane all engines w/C4/C6.
--------------------------------------
C8OZ-7A247-A (replaced C7OZ-7A247-C) .. NSS - Use with floor shift (Motorcraft SW-687) / Obsolete
All engines w/C4/C6: 1967/71 Fairlane // 1968/71 Torino // 1972 Torino before production date 12/1/1971.
> > 1965/72 Ford Passenger Car Parts Catalog pics show the C4 & C6 NSS's located on the transmission. < <
btw: Every Mustang from day one has a floor shift.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2016
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Both the FMX and C4 were being used during some of the same years. However, in stock form the FMX was a tougher transmission. I've seen the FMX take a beating with regular street racing without any issues. With that said, Ford would install the C4 behind the 289 and later 302 motors. The FMX for small blocks was first used in 1969 and behind the 351W motors. I think in 1970 the FMX was also used with some 351C two barrel motors. The 289 and 302 always got the C4 transmission.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2011
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1956 F100. I ask myself daily why I decided to do this. I am in the process of changing all of the wiring to a modern wiring harness (multiple issues from vermin prior) and decided it would be easier to get an aftermarket column to spruce up the car while also upgrading the wiring. What I thought would be a plug and play has been far from it. I regret this decision every day. I think I may be able to get the 66 Fairlane NSS switch from the C4 transmission to work. I am worried about the bolt and if it works, but I think I will be able to make this work. I will update everyone once it is finished. I should have learned my lesson from when I restored by 1950 truck as a restomod. My father would constantly fuss at me for buying aftermarket parts. We would go to put them on and he would just look at me with disgust as nothing ever just bolted on. I can see him now looking down laughing at me. The older I get the more I realize just how smart he was.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 645
Likes: 10
1956 F100. I ask myself daily why I decided to do this. I am in the process of changing all of the wiring to a modern wiring harness (multiple issues from vermin prior) and decided it would be easier to get an aftermarket column to spruce up the car while also upgrading the wiring. What I thought would be a plug and play has been far from it. I regret this decision every day. I think I may be able to get the 66 Fairlane NSS switch from the C4 transmission to work. I am worried about the bolt and if it works, but I think I will be able to make this work. I will update everyone once it is finished. I should have learned my lesson from when I restored by 1950 truck as a restomod. My father would constantly fuss at me for buying aftermarket parts. We would go to put them on and he would just look at me with disgust as nothing ever just bolted on. I can see him now looking down laughing at me. The older I get the more I realize just how smart he was.