Hello,
I told myself no more projects but..... here's my newest basket case.
86 Econoline 250 Quigley 4x4 with 302. Factory was 351
It sat for 20 years so I had to prep motor with new gas tank, fluids,belts, plugs,wires etc and a new Holley and new 33" tires. It runs well but now it won't shift.
I disconnected the shift rod at transmission and it does shift through all gears so not binding there. All grommets on trans linkage look ok and are lubricated. I took off steering wheel and changed ignition which did not help. This is an 86 so I



don't believe shifter is connected to any brake or tail light systems that need to be operational like on newer models.
***Does anyone know what could be binding?***
I see a rod on top of column that slides back and forth as ignition is turned on and off. I think it's working fine.
I've decided that maybe when pulling back the shifter before pulling down that ...that function isn't doing it's job
When pulling shifter towards the driver....what is happening in the column? I removed shifter pin and shifter and looked inside. I see a metal spring activated pin that is shoved towards dash when shifter is pulled towards driver....
What does that pin do? Wow that's a mouth full.
Thanks for any help.

 

You may want to study this breakdown diagram to see if you can see your problem, I myself would probably get into it and spray everything with some white grease before going to far with it.

 

Sounds like the safety, have to pull the lever towards you in order to select a different range. Keep from accidentally shifting when not desired.

Does it look like 3F530 in @Mike1's diagram?