The Ford Barn

flatheadfan · 04-14-2015, 08:21 AM

Does anyone have a sure-fire method to prevent the locking pin (connects floor shift handle to trans cover top), from falling into the darken depths of the transmission when the handle is removed? This has happen a couple of times to me and it is no longer "fun" to retrieve it.

Thanks

Tom

Mike51Merc · 04-14-2015, 08:24 AM

Hold a strong magnet on the edge of housing?

ford38v8 · 04-14-2015, 10:44 AM

Sure fire: Don't separate the shaft from the housing. Take off the complete assembly.

donald1950 · 04-14-2015, 12:03 PM

after you unscrew & remove the cap. use a small screwdriver down the slot in the shift lever to push it out into your hand

Charlie ny · 04-14-2015, 12:24 PM

Tom,
My preference is to open the 1/4"dia hole enough oversize to make it
reasonably round then turn up an oversize pin from oil hardening steel. I size the
new pin for a stiff tap fit. It's not a quick fix but it is a good repair and the big
benefit is the shift stick no longer wallows around in the tower.
Charlie ny

flatheadfan · 04-14-2015, 02:39 PM

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Donald-

Your suggestion seemed simple enough so I gave it a try. Using a micro screwdriver the pin came out just as you suggested! Often the simplest solutions are the best!

Thanks for the help!

Tom

flatheadfan · 04-14-2015, 02:46 PM

Charlie-

I liked your idea and it seems that it also would reduced gearshift slop but I am rather hesitant attempting it while the cover is still attached to the trans which is under the floor pan. This sounds like a good "bench idea" which I will probably will end up doing the next time I have things more apart. Thanks!

Tom

Admiral · 04-14-2015, 03:18 PM

The problem is your shifter housing is far too clean. You need a thick coating of filth and rust to lock that pin in place

.

Thaplumbr · 04-14-2015, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admiral

The problem is your shifter housing is far too clean. You need a thick coating of filth and rust to lock that pin in place

.

Didn't ford have a part number for that as well?...lol

Talkwrench · 04-14-2015, 06:57 PM

How does it fall in the shifter goes in then the pin, from memory the pin has no way of getting down into the box.. How do you withdraw the shifter without removing it totally?

1931 flamingo · 04-15-2015, 04:14 PM

It's a slip fit and if not careful it's very easy for it to fall into the tranny, especially if you're a newbi and don't know it's there............
Paul in CT

donald1950 · 04-15-2015, 06:55 PM

Murphys Law: if it can fall, it will & it will take 2 hours with a magnetic wand to retrieve it......

B-O-B · 04-15-2015, 10:46 PM

Locktite!!!!!!!

04-14-2015, 08:24 AM	#2
Mike51Merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 1,582	Re: Need a sure-fire method Hold a strong magnet on the edge of housing?

04-14-2015, 10:44 AM	#3
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 7,639	Re: Need a sure-fire method Sure fire: Don't separate the shaft from the housing. Take off the complete assembly. __________________ Alan

04-14-2015, 12:03 PM	#4
donald1950 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: san antonio, texas Posts: 461	Re: Need a sure-fire method after you unscrew & remove the cap. use a small screwdriver down the slot in the shift lever to push it out into your hand

04-14-2015, 12:24 PM	#5
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	Re: Need a sure-fire method Tom, My preference is to open the 1/4"dia hole enough oversize to make it reasonably round then turn up an oversize pin from oil hardening steel. I size the new pin for a stiff tap fit. It's not a quick fix but it is a good repair and the big benefit is the shift stick no longer wallows around in the tower. Charlie ny

04-14-2015, 02:39 PM	#6
flatheadfan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Michigan Posts: 1,218	Re: Need a sure-fire method Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Donald- Your suggestion seemed simple enough so I gave it a try. Using a micro screwdriver the pin came out just as you suggested! Often the simplest solutions are the best! Thanks for the help! Tom

04-14-2015, 02:46 PM	#7
flatheadfan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Michigan Posts: 1,218	Re: Need a sure-fire method Charlie- I liked your idea and it seems that it also would reduced gearshift slop but I am rather hesitant attempting it while the cover is still attached to the trans which is under the floor pan. This sounds like a good "bench idea" which I will probably will end up doing the next time I have things more apart. Thanks! Tom

04-14-2015, 03:18 PM	#8
Admiral Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Oakland County, Michigan Posts: 562	Re: Need a sure-fire method The problem is your shifter housing is far too clean. You need a thick coating of filth and rust to lock that pin in place .

04-14-2015, 06:57 PM	#10
Talkwrench Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 2,708	Re: Need a sure-fire method How does it fall in the shifter goes in then the pin, from memory the pin has no way of getting down into the box.. How do you withdraw the shifter without removing it totally? __________________ *"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"*

04-15-2015, 04:14 PM	#11
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,428	Re: Need a sure-fire method It's a slip fit and if not careful it's very easy for it to fall into the tranny, especially if you're a newbi and don't know it's there............ Paul in CT

04-15-2015, 06:55 PM	#12
donald1950 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: san antonio, texas Posts: 461	Re: Need a sure-fire method Murphys Law: if it can fall, it will & it will take 2 hours with a magnetic wand to retrieve it......

04-15-2015, 10:46 PM	#13
B-O-B Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ft Mohave,Az Posts: 2,011	Re: Need a sure-fire method Locktite!!!!!!!