Our 63 Falcon's column shifter doesn't "lock" when you put it into PARK. You can sit in it and move it up and down through Park to 3rd with one finger. I was told by the transmission guy that the detent in it may just be worn out. I bought a detent off Ebay for it, but haven't even tried to figure out how to install it. I replaced the 2-speed with a C4 but didn't replace anything on the column. Couple of questions. Does this sound like something a 3 speed detent would fix? If not, do I need to look at replacing the whole column? Don't know that much about the inner workings on these columns. Thanks.
It is my understanding that you need to change the detent plate in the column when you go from a two speed to a C-4...... Lynn W
In my mind, its a safety thing. I think Ford even had some lawsuits over the car not locking into Park. The driver puts it into "park", jumps out, and the car rolls off down the street on it's own. Since it's my daughter's car, I'd like it to be right. Anyone know if swapping out the detent is a job for a newbie?
There's the detent, and there's a "V" shaped part of the shift lever that rides on the detent, and then there's the spring that makes the two work closely together. You won't know which is worn or broken until you take it all apart. On my car, the shift lever piece was worn out, but the detent was fine. The shift lever is probably only available as a junk-yard part. The rest you can buy, and remember to buy '64 parts for your C4. You can get a new '64 detent and clear plastic indicator from typical antique Ford part vendors. Fairly easy repair for a noobie. You need to pull the steering wheel and remove the shift lever retaining pin. The rest is just regular tools, nothing special.
You need a column from a '64 Comet. The only car that got the 3 speed C4 and will fit your car, AFAIK. Too, as Mike said, you need to go through the column and un-wear the worn parts. My '61 had the stepped pin broken, as well as the shift lever's hole worn out. Sussed that all out, and it was like new shifting, and would stay where I put it. Cosmo
No need for a Comet column. Later Falcons had C4s and the only differences are the detent and the indicator lens.
My 65 had a later c4 when I got it. From what I understand the earlier transmissions that were known as green dot where there was a position to start in second then auto shift to 3rd. It seemed whatever valve body was in the c4 that I had, the detents in the transmission and column weren't an exact match. When the shift rod was adjusted so the column pointer lined up correctly then I was unable to pull the lever down far enough to get 1st gear. I goofed with the shift rod adjustment until I could gain 1st, but then you had to really ensure the lever was pulled up in order to engage Park on the column detent. If you weren't careful and deliberate, then it was possible that the lever never made it to the lock position of the column detent. One day I got out of the car and left it running while I opened the driveway gate, only to look back and see the car backing itself down the driveway with the door open. After my best attempt at a Usain Bolt sprint start on gravel, my feet fell out from under me and I ended up on my hands and knees watching the open door of the car hang up against a raised garden bed, crunching the door backwards against the fender. It was one of those horrible seemingly slow motion events of your life when you just have a hard time believing if that really happened. Be careful with that shift lever. I learned the hard way. The car now has a T5 manual that should eliminate any future phantom gear engagements.
During my first year of wrenching for money, I was taught 3 very important things. First, all vehicles brought into the shop are to be left in neutral - no exceptions. Second, all vehicles raised to repair are put on stands. Third, any Ford product with an automatic gets the rear wheels chocked on both sides. The mid 60s brought us the first massive factory recalls - Fords jumping into reverse all by themselves, and Chevrolets that broke motor mounts and ripped the vacuum hose out of the booster causing granny ladies to crash year old Impalas.
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