Topic: Auto t-handle

[Chris]

Does anyone know how to reattach the t-handle for a 65 auto so that it shifts correctly? When I slide the t-handle and black plastic button unit over the shaft, the button does not work, it does not have any spring to it and the shifter does not shift.

Thanks,
Chris

[jwc66k]

You have to push the cable arm over and hold it before the "T" and button get attached.
Jim

[Chris]

I tried that, held the plastic part that has the cable attached over all the way to the right and then slid the t-handle and plastic button over the top. After that was done, there was play in the button, no real resistance when pressing it in and the shifter did not shift.

[Chris]

How much tension is supposed to be in the cable arm? It lays over to the right and stays there by itself, does not spring up. Is it supposed to have more tension to spring up after being pressed over?

[NEFaurora]

From the looks of your fist pic, It looks like your cable is snapped and broken.  There should be tension on the cable so that the roller part "Snaps" back and can move back and forth with tention on it.  Yours looks like it's just flapping in the wind with no tension..  You may have a bigger shifter problem than you think.  You may have to remove the shifter and replace it.  I've never tried to fix one of those cables before, but I can imagine it's a Beotch!

Tony K.

[NEFaurora]

PS:  As I said, You'll have to remove the shifter.., but not the entire assembly.   It is held by one nut from the topside.. No need to go under the car. You just need the chrome stem of the shifter with a good cable in it to make the fix.  You'll need remove the console selector slider assembly above to get to it..  Replacement NOS and repro Chrome C4 shifter stems usually can be found on Ebay from $50 to $100 bucks tops...on a good day. There's plenty to go around, so you should have no problem finding the part.

Tony K.

[C5ZZ]

The cable itself is available so if your lever is good then just buy the cable.

NPD sells it, 7D246-1 "Cable, Shifter Lever" $22.50

[kutzoh]

Chris-
     Here's a pic of how the tension cable is attached at the bottom of the shaft-

http://s642.photobucket.com/user/kutzoh/media/IMG_1621_zps79ee3f4c.jpg.html

Don't know for sure it that's your problem. I do have a spare shaft assembly that came out of a 12/64 coupe if you're interested, It's yours for the price of postage. BTW, I didn't find removing them that difficult just take pics. I re-chromed my original and reinstalled.

Hope this helps,
Greg

[krelboyne]

We have all of those individual pieces for the shifter on our website.

The 1965 - early1967 cable did not have a slot at the bottom of the threaded stud. It makes is very difficult to get that nut on the bottom tightened or removed, without twisting the cable.

[Chris]

Chris-
     Here's a pic of how the tension cable is attached at the bottom of the shaft-

http://s642.photobucket.com/user/kutzoh/media/IMG_1621_zps79ee3f4c.jpg.html

Don't know for sure it that's your problem. I do have a spare shaft assembly that came out of a 12/64 coupe if you're interested, It's yours for the price of postage.

Thanks, nice picture. I'm pulling out the assembly this weekend to have a look, may take you up on the offer of the spare assembly. I have one on hand, but it's the very early version with the small T-handle, think it came out of a March '64 mustang, so I'm not looking to part that one out.

Chris

[kutzoh]

Chris-
   If your going to be removing the shift lever now is as good a time as any to replace the 2 plastic bushings down inside the cup. For reference, Virginia Classic Mustang part #IN-574  $2.60, but ANY parts supplier will carry them.

Greg

[Chris]

I fixed the shifter. The plastic triangle shaped parts that surround the metal cable and ball were cracked and missing at the top, allowing the cable to shift around. This also reduced the tension in the cable. When set correctly, the metal cable tension will have the cable and ball retainer straight up, not laying off to one side like mine was.

You have to remove the chrome shifter rod to make adjustments to the cable tension. There is a black rubber pad at the bottom of the shifter housing that covers the access hole to the nut that secures the shifter rod (under the car, just above the transmission). Remove the pad and take the nut off with a 9/16th socket...the rod come right out from the shifter from inside the car, you do have to first remove the upper sections of the shifter such as the top plate and gear indicator cover. This is also a good time to replace the light bulb in the metal housing attached to the shifter rod. The cable isn't hard to adjust. You hold the nut at the base of the shifter rod with a 3/8th wrench while screwing in the cable that is attached to a 2in rod with a philips screw driver, this tightens the cable.

Chris