Topic: 4 speed shifter stuck in neutral

[SCJSTU]

Just bought a 1969 Shelby GT350 and shifter got stuck in neutral....had to move shifter rods to get unstuck....

I see shifter bushing rebuild kits for 65-68 but not 69

Any tips on how to fix problem and where to buy parts?
Thanks

[CharlesTurner]

A dowel or pin is used to align the shift rods.


Was the transmission rebuilt?

[SCJSTU]

A dowel or pin is used to align the shift rods.


Was the transmission rebuilt?

Not recently, car was restored early 90?s

[CharlesTurner]

Check with David Kee, he does toploader rebuilds and sells parts. 


https://www.4speedtoploaders.com/

[Coralsnake]

If its on level ground try giving a push of about two feet and recheck your shifter.

[rockhouse66]

Stuart


If this is the original '69 Ford shifter, check the alignment as mentioned.  I had to make up a 1/4" rod with a 90 degree bend in the end, of just the right length, to be able to insert it into the alignment holes.  Clearance is tight between the shifter and the side of the tunnel.


Remove or loosen the linkage at the shifter, insert the alignment tool, and then re-attach the linkage.  This process is more awkward if you have a lower boot installed.

[bgp429]

Had the same problem if it is a Ford shifter.  Going from 2nd to third would stick in neutral. Only way to free it up was putting into reverse which required stopping. Check the adjustment first but if that doesn't fix it the shifter should be looked at. There was something broken inside the shifter.  Can't remember who did the repair.

[7Lscjracer]

Hence the Hurst shifter for 70
Like Charles says check with David Kee but fix the problem with a competition plus setup while retaining the stock pieces as seen in the cabin
http://4speedtoploaders.com/store/hurstcompplus.html

[K-HESS]

I would do as others have mentioned with putting in an alignment pin and making adjustments as necessary.

The 1969 shifter box is well known for having all kinds of internal problems with the most common being a broken top spring. West Coast Classic Cougars offers the top spring as an individual part that can be bought for about $36. The internal detent are also commonly broken but not as often as the top spring. West Coast Classic Cougars also offers a full rebuild kit if your internal detent is broken but the full rebuild kit will set you back $209. There are other parts that fail as well. When the shifter starts giving people problems they start yanking and slamming the shifter which can lead to other parts failing such as the small pins (see pictures 8&9). Also there is a rubber washer that was put in to keep everything tight. This washer can dry out and brake leaving a lot of slop in the movement. Unfortunately there is no direct replacement for the rubber washer that I have found.

 If you only need to change the top spring I have been able to do it without disassembling the whole shifter box. You have to drive out the two very small roll pins and if you move the shifter toward 1st gear the small pin can be pulled out the front and then move the shifter toward 2nd gear and you can pull out the other pin from the back. Replace the top spring and reassemble.

The 1969 shifter was also welded together (see pictures 3&4). This was an update during production do to excess movement. Most shifter boxes have been welded but not all of them. The welds have to be cut to completely disassemble the shifter.

[SCJSTU]

very good stuff guys....thanks!