I'm trying to remove the shifter on my '70 to repair it but it seems to be held on by a wire going into the drivers side but I don't see a way to disconnect it.

is there an easy way I'm over looking?

 

The wires run under the car and have a plug in the engine bay on the firewall, typically a few inches away from the brake master cylinder. If you crawl under the car and look at the bottom of the shifter you will be able to see the wires and trace them back to the plug.

 

If you are trying to replace the bushings, this can be done with the shifter in the car. Remove the chrome lever, go under the car, slide the lower lever out, clean out the remains of the old bushings, insert the new ones, and put the lever back together.

 

the plate that holds the shifter to the car is cracked around the top 2 bolt holes.

 

got the shifter all put together, I know the bushings need replacing but it seems to me that the lever is bent or some thing. when the lever is in park and wont go any further up I believe its either in neutral or reverse. could the bushings throw off the position that far or is there an underlying issue?

the shifter arm is adjusted so the end of the sleeve as well...I dont think it should be out that far.

 

You bet they could. There is also a rubber bushing where the lower end of the shifter attaches to the shift rod, or should be.