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Author
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Topic: Gear Shifts
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grourown420
unregistered
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posted 04-02-2004 03:19 PM
 
I have a 68 Coupe, 289 C4, and my shifter is really loose. I took it apart inside and found that the shaft that I tighten the shifter to is loose. Not the nut that tightens the shifter to the shaft, but the shaft itself. It will slide in and out maybe a 1/4 inch. My question is, can I tighten the other side of the set-up from underneath the car? I hope I am explaining this good enough.  Hopefully, if you've ever changed out the shifter, you might understand better. Anyway, any feedback on this is greatly appreciated. 
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lreeder
Gearhead Posts: 112
From: Houston, TX 77090
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 04-02-2004 03:48 PM
 
You need to replace the nylon shifter bushings. That's probably what's worn out.
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whiteknight289
Gearhead Posts: 1000
From: Wheaton, IL, USA
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 04-02-2004 03:54 PM
You need two bushings, still available from Ford under part# D5ZZ-7A133-B. Kinda pricey at a list price of $8.96 each, but you can get them from most aftermarket mustang venders (including NPD) for a couple bucks each. ------------------
MCA Certified Judge, 1965-1966
66 GT coupe A code, Silver Frost
65 coupe modified - the White Knight
66 convert being restored
95 GT convertible/Cobra clone - black with white leather
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68GEETEE
Journeyman Posts: 28
From: TX, USA
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 04-02-2004 05:49 PM
I just bought a shifter rebuild kit, it has the springs and bushings for around $17.00. Try MustangMania.com or any Mustang parts vendor. I believe its made by Scott Drake company.
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whiteknight289
Gearhead Posts: 1000
From: Wheaton, IL, USA
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 04-02-2004 07:11 PM
68GEETEE, he has an automatic shifter, they don't use the springs and bushings like your manual trans does. Cost for his kit will be $4 - $6.------------------
MCA Certified Judge, 1965-1966
66 GT coupe A code, Silver Frost
65 coupe modified - the White Knight
66 convert being restored
95 GT convertible/Cobra clone - black with white leather
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grourown420
unregistered
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posted 04-02-2004 07:54 PM
Wow, thanks guys, that's what I like about this site. The answers are quick AND correct. I am just happy it is something this simple. Again, thanks everyone. 
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68GEETEE
Journeyman Posts: 28
From: TX, USA
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 04-02-2004 08:41 PM
quote:
Originally posted by whiteknight289:
68GEETEE, he has an automatic shifter, they don't use the springs and bushings like your manual trans does. Cost for his kit will be $4 - $6.
Thanks for pointing that out. I was referring to the fact that there is a bushing kit for automatics too.
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grourown420
unregistered
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posted 04-03-2004 02:19 AM
OK, I tried from the top, and I tried from the bottom. What does it take to get that nut off of there?
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whiteknight289
Gearhead Posts: 1000
From: Wheaton, IL, USA
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 04-03-2004 04:47 AM
Two different ways -
On the bottom passenger side of the shifter bucket should be a round rubber plug a bit larger than a silver dollar. Either punch it out from the inside or pry it out from underneath the car using a flat blade screwdriver. From under the car you would then have straight access to the retaining nut with a deep-well 9/16" socket and ratchet.
Other way is from the top, I use a box-end 9/16" wrench. You can move the nut about 1/8 turn, then move the gearshift to reposition the nut, then use the wrench to move it another 1/8 turn. Keep doing this about 20 times until the nut is off.
Either way, after the nut is off you can use two large blade flat screwdrivers as wedges/pry bars between the base of the chrome lever and the shifter housing. The lever has a square slot which is jammed onto the shouldered rod coming thru the housing. As it comes apart things should start to appear obvious. Good Luck!------------------
MCA Certified Judge, 1965-1966
66 GT coupe A code, Silver Frost
65 coupe modified - the White Knight
66 convert being restored
95 GT convertible/Cobra clone - black with white leather
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grourown420
unregistered
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posted 04-03-2004 11:38 AM
Thanks whiteknight, went in from the bottom. Gonna take a 3 foot breaker bar to get this one loose.  The shifter is so loose, you would almost think it's a standard tranny instead of a C4. Gonna put it up on ramps to get a better shot at it tomorrow. Keep ya posted and thanks again. 
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 18143
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 04-03-2004 01:47 PM
I just disconnected the shifter from the trans linkage and took the whole unit out, the shifter and bucket. It was a lot more easy to work on it out of the car. It does take alittle more time.------------------
SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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whiteknight289
Gearhead Posts: 1000
From: Wheaton, IL, USA
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 04-03-2004 05:09 PM
Definately easier to work on it out of the car, but that poses three problems....
First, the adjusting nut on the trans shift rod is often rusted so bad you risk breaking it.
Second, often the bolts holding the shifter bucket to the trans tunnel are frozen and you risk snapping off those.
Third,
if you are lucky enough to break loose the shift rod adjusting nut then you still have the potential of not installing it in the proper adjustment.
Although your bushings are worn out, chances are pretty good that the adjustment is still at the factory setting and when you replace the bushings you may not have to readjust the linkage.
If you get it back together and you have trouble getting in 'park' or the car doesnt' want to start because the neutral safety switch isn't making contact, post a message and I can tell you how to adjust (this info is also in the factory shop manual). ------------------
MCA Certified Judge, 1965-1966
66 GT coupe A code, Silver Frost
65 coupe modified - the White Knight
66 convert being restored
95 GT convertible/Cobra clone - black with white leather
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 18143
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 04-03-2004 05:11 PM
I was lucky enough not to have any of those problems.------------------
SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics [This message has been edited by Fastymz (edited 04-03-2004).]
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