Transmission linkage

[cyclonbrian]

All,

I am new to this forum but picked up my dream car. 1966 Comet caliente 2 door hardtop in jamaican yellow. I purchased it from the original owner. It has 30k original miles. They had the transmission fixed in the past but the shift linkage is all messed up on this car. When it is shifted in park it is actually in reverse. It has a C4 transmission. Does anyone have a picture or diagram that shows how the linkage is supposed to be on this transmission?

Thank you very much and an happy to be on the board.

Brian

[Joe Travers]

Hey Brian,

Sounds like the linkage isn't adjusted correctly @ the lever on the C-4 or may not be tight and slipped. I would remove the nut on the lever arm, pull the shift rod from the lever and shift it into Park manually. Get someone to set the shifter into park, reattach the rod and tighten the nut. Just a hunch.

Joe

[Jims65cyclone]

Welcome aboard, Brian. Can't help you on your linkage question; I'm a 4-speed guy, but Joe's advice sounds good to me.

Jim

[Caveman49]

You might want to check your adjuster slot in the trans linkage, the nut may have come loose, or was never adjusted right after it was worked on. You’ll need to get the car safely up enough where you can get under it and make sure it’s in park (you can do this by hand underneath). Probably have your wife or a friend making sure the shifter is in park, also may want to loosen the nut a little if it isn’t already (see pic)
I also agree with Joe, you may be able to do the adjustment on the top side, just have to ensure you’re in park.
The pic I sent, the car is in park, and the lever and rod go down when shifted out of park. Hope this helps.
By the way, welcome. Sounds like you found a gem, only 30k miles, amazing.

[SASSY]

Welcome!!
I'm a 3 pedal guy so can't help on your problem but,,,,, Pics please!!
Fred

[cyclonbrian]

Joe and all,

Thanks for the suggestions. I will definitely do what you have suggested. Here is a pic of me getting ready to tow the car home. Gotta love the old school 80's rims.

Here is a picture.

[Joe Travers]

Very nice car!
289 Cyclone?

Joe

[poboyjo65]

You may be able to adjust it without getting under the car if it has the slot at the steering column as shown in caveman's pic above ,,,just loosen the nut & pull up on the linkage,all the way up will be park. you could go down with it first then count the gears as you pull it back up,you will be able to feel the clicks of every gear then tighten the nut & check to make sure if it went in park. it may take a couple trys to get it perfect.

[cyclonbrian]

Very nice car!
289 Cyclone?

Joe

Yes 289 4v

[cyclonbrian]

These were in the glove box.

[Jims65cyclone]

Looks great on the trailer. How's the interior. (We need more pics to ogle.)

Jim

[cyclonbrian]

Looks great on the trailer. How's the interior. (We need more pics to ogle.)

Jim

I will take pictures. seats, dash, instrument cluster, headliner and all in great shape. I will need to replace the front driver and passenger floorpans though because the car sat in the driveway for eons and water got in. The rest of the body only has minimal rust.

[Joe Travers]

I will need to replace the front driver and passenger floorpans though because the car sat in the driveway for eons and water got in.

Have you tested the cowl for leaks?

Joe

[cyclonbrian]

I will need to replace the front driver and passenger floorpans though because the car sat in the driveway for eons and water got in.

Have you tested the cowl for leaks?

Joe

I will test that in the morning.

Thanks

Brian