Manual column issues
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 187
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From: Lincoln, NE
Manual column issues
Hello everyone. I'd like to re-introduce myself. I'm Scott and I'm a Ford owner. I was a previous participant in these forums because of my '65 f100. I gave that one away.
Well, I'm now the proud owner of a 1979 F-150. Bought it yesterday for $750. It's got the 300 L6 and a three-speed transmission. It is also my first three-on-the-tree vehicle. Everything runs great and seems to be in good shape. I do need some help on the column shift, however.
The shifter seems to get "hung-up" between first and second. I have to get out, open the hood, and fiddle with the levers at the base of the steering column. The shifter is also very sloppy.
Anyways, guys, any input you have on this issue would be awesome. Thanks.
Well, I'm now the proud owner of a 1979 F-150. Bought it yesterday for $750. It's got the 300 L6 and a three-speed transmission. It is also my first three-on-the-tree vehicle. Everything runs great and seems to be in good shape. I do need some help on the column shift, however.
The shifter seems to get "hung-up" between first and second. I have to get out, open the hood, and fiddle with the levers at the base of the steering column. The shifter is also very sloppy.
Anyways, guys, any input you have on this issue would be awesome. Thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Duncan B.C.
You might just need to adjust it, or it might have too much play in the connections ( rod end bushings and such). Or the parts in the column could be worn. Try adjusting it first and if that doesn't work , start trouble shooting the other stuff
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Duncan B.C.
Adjustment procedure:
Loosen the nuts at the tranny end of the shift rods.
Put the shift handle in neutral. This should line up the two levers at the bottom of the column.
put a 3/16" pin through the hole in the two column levers to keep them lined up in the neutral position( they are close to the column)
make sure the tranny levers are both in the middle of their throws.(neutral)
tighten the rod end nuts and remove the line up pin.
That should do it.
If that doesn't do it, start looking for loose rod end bushings and/or worn holes in the linkages on the tranny.
Then move on to column problems.
Loosen the nuts at the tranny end of the shift rods.
Put the shift handle in neutral. This should line up the two levers at the bottom of the column.
put a 3/16" pin through the hole in the two column levers to keep them lined up in the neutral position( they are close to the column)
make sure the tranny levers are both in the middle of their throws.(neutral)
tighten the rod end nuts and remove the line up pin.
That should do it.
If that doesn't do it, start looking for loose rod end bushings and/or worn holes in the linkages on the tranny.
Then move on to column problems.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
I'm now the proud owner of a 1979 F-150. Bought it yesterday for $750. It's got the 300 L6 and a three-speed transmission. It is also my first three-on-the-tree vehicle. Everything runs great and seems to be in good shape.
I do need some help on the column shift, however.
The shifter seems to get "hung-up" between first and second.
So what else is new?
I have to get out, open the hood, and fiddle with the levers at the base of the steering column. The shifter is also very sloppy.
I do need some help on the column shift, however.
The shifter seems to get "hung-up" between first and second.
So what else is new?
I have to get out, open the hood, and fiddle with the levers at the base of the steering column. The shifter is also very sloppy.
This is an EZ fix and it has absolutely nothing to do with adjusting anything.
At the bottom of the steering column underneath the hood are the two manual control selector levers where the shift rods attach.
In each one of these levers is a plastic bushing and insulator.
The plastic bushings wear down or crack and fall apart...then the shift lever hangs up between first and second.
This is a very common problem that affects all 1965/79 F100/350's.
The parts are the same and are STILL available from Ford.
C5TZ7343A .. Bushing & Insulator Kit / One kit is all that is needed.
MSRP: $30.73 // FTEpartsguy.com price: $22.13.
Replacing these parts may also solve the sloppy (excessive play) shift lever problem, it all depends on the following.
Look at the shift collar where the lever attaches. If the roll pin that retains the lever to the collar has caused the hole to elongate, you'll need to replace the collar, also available from Ford
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 187
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From: Lincoln, NE
Thanks, guys! I'll mess around with it this weekend. I'm thinking it's in the shift collar. There's a whole lot of play in it--almost like a clip or bolt or something is loose. For now I know how to fix the shifter if it hangs up. It'll get me by for the time being 
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
The worn (or missing) bushings/insulators in the manual control selector levers cause that to occur.
The shift lever is held in place to the collar by a roll pin. The roll pin over time causes the hole in the shift collar to become elongated.
There is nothing else besides that roll pin...no clips, no bolts.
If the shift collar was actually broken, you wouldn't be able to go anywhere, because it breaks internally.
When this occurs the lever flops around, as it has no connection to the shift tube located inside the column.
