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Author Topic: Help with limp shifter  (Read 1495 times)

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Offline wilit

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Help with limp shifter
« on: April 23, 2018, 01:13:54 AM »
Hey guys!

Just joined the forum because I picked up a really original '79 Pinto Pony with a 4 speed manual and needed a bit of help. I'm new to Pintos, but have been a die hard Ford guy all my life. My other project car is a '68 Mustang, which is the 5th one I've owned. Not a stranger to the 2.3 either, since I owned an '84 SVO at one time too (loved that car, wish I still had it).

Anyway, what brings me here today is my limp shifter. The thing is extremely loose and is difficult to find the difference between 1st and 3rd. The scary part is though, the reverse lockout is completely non-functional, so you can shift into reverse just as easily as 1st. Definitely need to get this fixed ASAP. I've been doing some research and it appears the floppyness is due to a worn saddle bushing? I've seen some links to source those, but what I can't seem to pin down is how to fix the reverse lockout and a source for parts. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Ryan

Here's the Pinto in question


I don't have any good pics of the Mustang, but here's a pic of the engine I built for it. I have a Powerdyne supercharger for it too.

Offline TIGGER

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Re: Help with limp shifter
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2018, 11:35:02 AM »
The rubber boot has deteriorated on the shifter.  This is the lockout function.  Do a search on the forum and there is a quick and easy fix with a spring and a couple e-clips.  I have done this on a couple cars now and had no problems after.
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Offline LongTimeFordMan

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Re: Help with limp shifter
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2018, 07:07:40 PM »
Do a search of my posts..

I also have pix of the spring mod to replace the worn out rubber bushing.  The only difficulty involves getting the spring onto the shifter shaft. You need to find a spring that is open enough that you can wind it onto the shaft.

You can also adjust the lockout pressure by stretching or cutting the spring.

Heres a link to the post with pix.. also theres a mention of the plastic saddle available from a jeep dealer for about $7 for an early 4 speed

http://www.fordpinto.com/general-help/manual-shifter/msg174991/#msg174991
Red 1973 pinto wagon DD, SoCal desert car, Factory 4 speed, 3.40 gears, Stock engine, 14" rims and tires, 60 K original miles

Offline robertwwithee

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Re: Help with limp shifter
« Reply #3 on: April 28, 2018, 08:38:00 PM »
The thing is extremely loose and is difficult to find the difference between 1st and 3rd.

That right there was a problem when i came down a straight away on road coarse and went 4 to 1 gear.  Dam, wreked a quarter

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Offline LongTimeFordMan

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Re: Help with limp shifter
« Reply #4 on: April 28, 2018, 11:23:18 PM »
You need to fix the spring pressure for the reverse lockout and maybe replace the nylon bushing.

Check out the link to the fix i posted and save your tranny.
Red 1973 pinto wagon DD, SoCal desert car, Factory 4 speed, 3.40 gears, Stock engine, 14" rims and tires, 60 K original miles

Offline wilit

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Re: Help with limp shifter
« Reply #5 on: May 01, 2018, 09:55:30 AM »
Ended up fixing the shifter this weekend. I replaced the severely worn saddle bushing and that has fixed the limpness. I also found the rubber spring to be in perfect shape, it was only missing the retaining clip. So I wrestled that down and installed a new clip and now the shifter works as designed. Thanks everyone for the help!