[RAW]

This is a ground up project so it is the coming together of typical rodding parts.

The issue is with the Ron Francis neutral safety switch on a Ford C4 transmission. The car has an IDIDIT steering column.

The transmission shift arm is pointing up; The top side. I believe when the arm is pointing to the 11 O'clock position (Looking from the side) the transmission is in "Park." Pulling the arm back through 12 O'clock and towards the rear of the car the transmission is in Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Lo and maybe L2.

I have in stalled a Ron Francis Neutral Safety Switch (NSS)per their drawing. Looking at the switch it is a simple installation. However, when I put an Ohm meter on the switch I could start the motor in L2 and Drive. That is the opposite side of the "Arch."

I'm thinking about flipping the NSS but the casting of the switch does not appear correct. So I'm wondering, is the C4 shift arm supposed to be on the LOWER arc; bottom side? In other words shifting is in the nine O'clock to six O'clock?

thx in advance, R the confused.

[bates_k]

I think it depends on if column or console shifting,
if the tranny came out of a console shifted car, the
arm should be down, as the shifter handle will be
all the way forward when in park...

K

[Chazmac]

It the arm points up, the trans was from a console/floor shifter car. Park is the shift arm at about 2 o'clock, 11 o'clock is manual low on floor shifter arms.

If you look at the side of the neutral safety switch, there is a little hole in the casting. Rotate the switch (center portion) until the plastic part inside is open to the hole. You will be able to insert a paper clip, pickpoint, etc into the body of the switch. The switch is now centered in the NEUTRAL gate. Move shift arm to neutral, install switch, double check the hole and tighten the bolts. Adjust shifter.

[RAW]

Because the shifter is the upper arc then this transmission is from a console shifter car which I believe the seller told me was a Mustang. My car is a column shifter ('57 Ranchero) and from what I understand now I need to change the arm to an under swing, correct?

Is that a simple remove the nut and switch the arm to a lower swing orientation?

Thx guys for responding, r

[RAW]

Pulled the nut and removed the kickdown arm easy enough. Removed the neutral safety switch two cap screws.

Without beating on or prying the shift arm does not want to move or even feel free. I have a suspicion this is a open the transmission kind of fix to change it to a lower swing column shift transmission, correct?

thx, r

P.s. Wish I'd known this before setting the engine and transmission in place.

[Crosley]

Originally Posted by RAW

Pulled the nut and removed the kickdown arm easy enough. Removed the neutral safety switch two cap screws.

Without beating on or prying the shift arm does not want to move or even feel free. I have a suspicion this is a open the transmission kind of fix to change it to a lower swing column shift transmission, correct?

thx, r

P.s. Wish I'd known this before setting the engine and transmission in place.

IF you are trying to relocate the OE type of shifter arm position ....... you must remove the pan , remove the valve body. Remove the retaining nut on the shifter arm inside. Rebolt the arm together after the change. Shifter arm only bolts on 2 ways.... 180 degrees apart .

Then you MUST align the shift & kick down linkage correctly as you reinstall the valve body to avoid damage to parts.

[RAW]

Crosley,

I was afraid that was the answer. I have never been that far into an automatic tranny. Only the remove the pan and screen drill before.

How is the valve body held in place, a couple of bolts?
Any springs, check balls, or other surprises?

Sounds like another task I will do when the car can be moved to a lift.

Thanks again to all who responded to my issue, r