•  

Addressing the Pop into Reverse Issue with 1961 to 1965 Lincolns

Full Disclosure – This is just our own process. What you do with this information is up to you and you are responsible for your own actions.

Follow the following steps to help identify and reduce the issue of popping into reverse while in Park mode. This is not 100% but will help reduce it. As always, CHOCK your tires when the engine is on and you are out of the car.

This transmission has a Park gear that doesnt stay in place. It requires the gear shifter at the steering column to be locked in Park for this gear to stay in place, or else it will naturally snap into the Reverse gear on the transmission itself.

1. Upper Steering Column Bearing – There is a rubber sleeve that goes around the bearing that keeps the steering rod centered in the Steering Column. If the sleeve or bearing goes bad, you will find that your steering wheel is not centered and will have movement if you push the steering wheel up and down. If there’s play, you need to inspect this area.
2. Neutral Safety Switch – Most of the stock switches are old and no longer working right. If you find yourself cheating the gear shifter to the right of the P position to start the car, you will be in trouble. 
3. Put the car in P and pull the gear shifter to the right. It should not move out of the P position. If it does, the detente plate that holds the gear shifter in the P position is compromised.
4. Only For 64 to 66 – Lower Steering Column Bushing – 61 to 63 doesn’t have this issue. 64 to 66 has a gap between the gear shifter tube and the outer steering column. Ford made a poly bushing that goes in between. Check to see if yours needs one installed.
5. Gear Shifter Lower Arm – At the bottom of the steering column is an arm that extends out so that the gear shift linkage is attached to it. There is a rubber bushing that keeps the connection snug. If there is play in it, then you are putting the car in P but the transmission itself has not pulled up enough into the P position. Check and see if you need a new bushing. We recommend buying new.
6. Gear Shift Linkage – check this area to see if it is installed properly and moving freely. There is a spring that keeps the tension in one of the tubes. Check for it.
7. Gear Selector Rod to Transmission – at the end of the gear shift linkage is a threaded rod that allows the adjustment of the rod’s connection to the transmission.
   a. disconnect this threaded rod from the transmission
   b. at the transmission, pull the gear selector all the way up and it will rest in the Reverse gear position.
   c. You need to put the gear indicator at the steering column into the R position, then adjust the threaded rod to fit nicely into the transmission and secure it with a pin.
   d. Now move your gear shifter at the steering column to each gear indicator and ensure that everything moves smoothly.
   e. Lastly, we need to double check the distance between the Park position and the Reverse gear. Have someone move from the Reverse position to the Park position and ensure there is at least ¼ inch movement at the transmission gear shift lever. If they are too close, any engine vibration may cause the transmission to engage to the Reverse gear.

Full Disclosure – This is just our own process. What you do with this information is up to you and you are responsible for your own actions.