I seem to remember that the neutral safety switch in a lot of 60's AT Fords, column or floor, would wear out after several years. In order to start the car, you have to push the shift lever all the way forward into Park for the ignition to be able to work. If your car is like this you know exactly what I mean.

My car is finally doing this now. It's worse if I park on a slight incline and the the car's weight pulls on the shift lever after you put it in Park. My linkage is tight, btw, so that's not it.

My Q is: Is the switch just out of place, or is it worn down? Can I change/fix it without dropping the tranny? Is Ford NOS or a new repo part better?

Thanks for any replies.

CP

 

I have a 4 speed toploader, so I cannot help much, but I would think you could replace and/or adjust the switch with the car in the air. It could be bad or just out of alignment, so you may just put the car up on jack stands and take a look before you try and hunt down a switch.

 

Had this scenario when I initially bought my 66. Try adjusting the NSS before you go buy one. It worked for me. You'd be surprized, a little adj clockwise/counter clockwise will really make a dif.

 

the switch on the c-4's is adjustable

 

Wow, dudes thanks.

How do I get at the switch? Can it be adjusted w/o dropping the tranny?

CP

 

mine is on the front drivers side of the transmission. easy to get to and adjust from under the car with the transmission in place. I have a 65 though not a 69. Hope it helps.

 

Thanks for taking the time to reply. To be honest, I was too lazy to put the car up and reach around the tranny to see if I could apply tools. It's a lot easier if someone posts from experience rather than guessing.

CP

 

When you get under your car you'll find the switch located on the left side of the trans with 2 screws holding it on. The switch has slotted holes so the it can be rotated. You want to make sure that you linkage is adjusted properly first. The switch has a small hole in it that allows you to align the netural gate. Clean the side of the switch and you will find a hole that a paper clip or the butt end of a small drill will fit into. (Find the largest drill that will fit without forcing it). Block the wheels put the car in netural loosen the screws rotate the switch untill your "line-up" tool goes through the switch. Carefully tighten the retainer screws. Good luck.

 

Denny, that was freakin' awesome, man, thanks. Your instructions sound pretty easy to follow. I will try it.

I'm glad that it sounds like I can preserve an orig part of my car.

CP

 

I forgot to mention that if you do decide that the switch is worn out and you want to replace it the piece that I got from NPD looked liket the factory piece that I replaced.