Topic: Automatic shifter problem

[68 GT]

Some time ago, I bought a factory floor console for my 68 coupe. I was having problems getting the indicating lights to line up with the actual gear I was in. I quit working on it for months. Determined to get the car back on the road, I started messing with it again. The floor console is currently out of the car. The deluxe shifter T-Handle is off. Now the tab will not go high enough to clear the detent to come out of park. Then I found a small round silver piece that fell out months ago when I was working on the car. I'm thinking that is why the tab won't clear the detent now. It's 3/8" long, 3/16" diameter, has a hole all the way through the length of it and has a set screw in it. Anyone know what I'm talking about that can shed some light to me on where this piece fell out of the automatic shifter for a floor console? I can't figure out where it goes. 

[ruppstang]

A picture would help.

[68 GT]

Here are a couple of pictures of the pieces that fell out months ago. I'm assuming they came from my shifter, possibly the T-Handle.

[68 GT]

Piece, not pieces. Sorry about that.

[RoyceP]

Really out of focus but it doesn't look like part of the stock shifter to me.

[68 GT]

These pictures may be less blurry. I just don't know where it came from. I was assuming my shifter since the shifter tab won't raise high enough to clear the detent. Months ago, it cleared the detent and now for some reason it won't. Can't for the life of me understand why it cleared months ago and not now

[ruppstang]

It is not any part of a shift lever that I have seen. At the bottom of the stalk is a nut that adjusts the height of the lever. I think if you turn it in a turn or two everything will work as it should.

[68 GT]

Thank you for the advice! I'll give it a shot!

[RoyceP]

The shifter has to be out of the car to adjust that, and you must turn the center cable with a small straight slot screwdriver as you hold the nut with a small 3/8" wrench. Or vice - versa. Simply turning the nut will just wreck the cable.


You might try removing the T - handle and see if the shifter works normally. The reproduction T handles are notorious for not working properly.

[68 GT]

Thanks, I just haven't had time to get back to it. I'm hoping to just remove the passenger side seat and pull the carpet far enough out of my way to be able to remove the shifter. I'll try the shifter out of the car before making the adjustment to see it it will clear the detent. I know the adjustment you're talking about, that should work. Too many things to do and not enough time!! Hope to get to it soon!! Thank you!!