On Factory Floor shift cars is it true the Lockout Rod going down to the transmission is different on v8 cars and 6 cyls?
Yes...they ARE different. The Column Lock Rod for the 6 cyl Mav/Comets have ONE LESS DOG-LEG OFFSET BEND put into them. This is also why they have different Factory part numbers. Here is the 6 Cyl Mav/Comet Lockout Rod Installed: (This is from a Factory Auto Floor Shift Mav with 6 cyl...I used your car's rod in the pic ) And below is The Lockout Rod for 302/V8 Mav Comet: (SHINY SILVER ONE IN THE MIDDLE) I also have a picture of Craig's V8 rod installed, and will post that if Craig gives the okay.
And to the issue of "why are the 6 cyl and V8 column lock rods shaped differently"... ...the easiest way to see this would be to have both car types sitting side by side for comparison...but after looking at several pictures, and inspecting both Factory setup types... ...It must be the need, (for a Factory setup car), to have the Column Lock Rod, clear the Kick-down Rod and linkage, during throttle kickdown, as well as clearing the Drivers side exhaust on the V8 cars. I believe the Kick-down Rods are shaped different on the 6 cyl and V8 Mav/Comets, mainly due to the placement of the throttle linkage on the different engine types. The Kick-down Rod Linkage Levers, that connect the Kick-down Rods, to the Manual Tranny Lever, are also different, between the 6 cyl Mav/Comets, and the V8 cars. The V8 style has 90 degree dogleg bends, and the 6 cyl style bends look more like 45 degree bends on the offset.
I forgot I made this post... Funny enough i just came across the Shiny rod you have in my garage and couldnt remember what it went too? Does that shiny Rod have a part number stamped on it? Now this makes me wonder if the Floor shift rods from the Floor shifter to the Transmission are any different.
Hey Mike, the part number on my Column Lock Rod (the shiny one in the pic) is: D1DA-7E330-FA (This is for a V8 auto Floor Shift Maverick...and supposedly the 6 cyl 250's also use this rod, but I have not seen this in person) The part number and Column Lock Rod for the 6 cylinder Mavericks is: D1DA-7E330-C (This is what your 72 Grabber should have) The two different styles of Column Lock Rods look different. The Auto Floor Shifter Rods are all the same, no matter the Maverick/Comet engine type. Part Number: D1DA-7340-AA. Here's an Ebay listing that selling a Mav Auto Floor Shifter/Hump/Shift Rod: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150664330015 And here is a Side-By-Side Photo comparison of the Two different Column Lock Rod Styles Installed: The Above-Left Pic is Craig's 302 V8 Floorshift Column Lock Rod Installed, and the Above-Right Pic is Mike's I6/200 Floorshift Column Lock Rod Installed. Below is Roger's current I6/200 Column Shift Rod setup, for comparison: (Notice the Factory Transfer Bar in the Setup) :
Thats awesome... next time im at my other House im gonna have to see what i have... i believe its the v8 lockout rod because ive got a couple floor shifters laying around.
Mike, the V8 lock rods are very rare to find...so if you have one...you are setting on a valuable part. I just wrote a new post in the Technical section, and my project thread, detailing ALL the info I know about Auto Floor Shift Conversions and Parts, all in one big post. I have had alot of PM's and general questions about these issues from others too.
