This is a long post with some backstory so bear with me. TLDR - Cant shift to 1st or Reverse, replaced shift tube, shift collar, still having same issue
im mechanically inclined and have worked on generators for the last 6 years. Never automobiles Alright so picked up a 74 F100 few months ago, shifter collar was messed up and could only be put in 2nd and 3rd. Hard to find where to put it into reverse and first but was able to with some finagling. I am able to put it in first and reverse manually in engine bay no problem, just not with shifter on column.
Did some testing, some reading and found it was a common issue with collar so I ordered a new one thinking that would solve my issue.
Took off that harness for hazards and blinkers. Took old shift collar off and heard a piece fall off and down the steering column. Long story short after taking steering column off, the piece on the shifter tube hsd broken off causing shifting arm to wobble around.Once again leading me to believe i found the issue.
After scouring ebay i found a NOS 28.5 inch shifting tube, same size, spring looked in solid condition. It arrived yesterday.
Last night i put it together, made sure both lever arms were seated correctly and in right spot, and put the steering column back in. Connected the transmission shift lever arms to their corresponding rods after putting new bushings on, old ones were worn. Put the shifter collar back on and nothing. Same issue as before.
I am really having a hard time believing it is a linkage issue being as i can select 2nd and 3rd or transmission issue being as i am able to manually put the lever arms into 1st and reverse in the engine bay. I even took the steering column off twice last night watched a video and put it back together to ensure i wasnt missing anything. It still shifts into 2nd and 3rd which is a relief so i didnt screw anything up that bad.
Just wondering if anyone has anymore knowledge on issues like this as im convinced its an issue somewhere along the steering column or inside and im looking for advice on what to do next. Thanks in advance for the response and if pictures are wanted id be glad to provide them

 

Can you have someone watch, or record it on your phone, and see if you're getting any engagement/movement from the R-1 selector tab at the bottom of the column?

I've never been into mine that far, but it sounds like the tube isn't engaging the R-1 tab. That could be between the tube and the tab, or it could be between the selector lever/shifter and the tube.

Does the tube move downward when you pull the shifter back, to access the R-1 gate?

 

Ive made progress and whenever i pull back on the shifter the whole shift collar pulls out of place, it seems like theres supposed to be a piece that holds it together down to the tube and column. When i have the light harness off and push a screwdriver on the shifting tube far enough and shift it engages to first and reverse with the collar on! So it seemed ive installed the tube correctly. But whenever i try and do it without putting pressure on the shift tube itself, it pulls it out. Ive looked at schematics and it seems im missing part 7242. Im not sure what that even is to be honest lol
Would that cause this issue?
Thanks
Edit : just thiught about it, maybe i bought wrong shifter column collar? Pretty much every one ive seen for a 74 3 speed manual is the same.
and by pull out i mean it pulls out of being able to select 1R. I can select 2,3 without putting pressure on the tube itself, only the shift arm

 

That sounds like a bushing which supports the tube, but again, I've only changed out the turn signal switch in mine. Mine sure is loose and floppy though.

But your shift collar shouldn't be moving fore-and-aft at all. Only clockwise and counter-clockwise.

 

Hey man appreciate the help, i got it last night. Slowly put it all back together and remembered those washers on the wire harness side that hold it down to the column. Completely forgot about those 🤦🏼‍♂️
Once i put those on its been shifting properly! Im happy bc it was never that smooth. I can access all gears and i cant wait to get it on the road

 

Good to hear you got it working and that you found parts to fix it with.
I know the 80's trucks they say you cant get any 3 on the tree parts for them so people go with a floor shifter.

You didnt get any pictures when you were working on this as it may help others.
Dave ----