Maverick and Comet Repair
Clutch and Transmission
LINKAGE ADJUSTMENT
Column Mounted Shifter
With the gearshift in the
Neutral position, loosen the two gearshift rod adjustment nuts and
check to ensure that the shift levers on the transmission are in the
Neutral position. As shown in the accompanying illustration, insert
a 3/16 in. diameter alignment tool through the First and Reverse
gearshift lever, the Second and Third gearshift lever, and through
both holes in the lower casting.
NOTE: A suitable alignment tool can be fashioned from a 3/16 in. drill bit which is bent into an L-shape and which has perpendicular lengths of 1 in. and 2 in. from the elbow. The short end of the tool is inserted into the alignment holes.
With the alignment tool in place, tighten the two gearshift rod adjustment nuts, then remove the tool. With the engine running, operate the shift lever to ensure that it moves freely to each position.
Floor Mounted Shifter
- Loosen the two shift linkage adjustment nuts, making sure that the shift rods remain in the transmission shift levers.
- Rotate the output shaft to determine that the transmission is in Neutral.
- Insert a % in. alignment pin through the hole in the boot and into the shift control assembly alignment hole.
- Attach the slotted ends of the shift rods over the flats of the studs on the shift control assembly. Install and tighten the two shift linkage adjusting locknuts to 10-20 ft. lbs.
- Remove the alignment pin and check the gear lever for smooth crossover.
- Perform a lock rod adjustment.
Transmission Lock Rod
Adjustment
1970 and later models with floor or console
mounted shifters and manual transmissions incorporate a transmission
lock rod which prevents the shifter from being moved from the
Reverse position when the ignition lock is in the OFF position. The
lock rod connects the shift tube in the steering column to the
transmission Reverse lever. The lock rod can not be properly
adjusted until the manual linkage adjustment is correct.
- With the transmission selector lever in the Neutral position, loosen the lock rod adjustment nut on the transmission Reverse lever.
- Insert a .180 in. diameter rod (No. 15 drill bit) in the gauge pin hole located at the 6 o'clock position on the steering column socket casting, directly below the ignition lock.
- Manipulate the pin until the casting will not move with the pin inserted.
- Torque the lock rod adjustment rod to 10-20 ft. lbs.
- Remove the pin and check the linkage operation.
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