QuestionI have a 1949 ford, I recently have put it back together.
I put the tranny in and the following occurs:
In park on the steering column the car is in park (OK)
Reverse on the column (no Movement)nothing engages
Neutral on the column (the car is in neutral)
Drive on the column, the car goes in reverse
Drive Lo on the column the car does not move nor does it seem like it is gear.
I tried adjusting the manual linkage and it did not work.
AnswerYour car did not come with an automatic transmission - 1951 was the first year for the Fordomatic. I can't really be any help here, because I don't know what was done when the automatic was put in. The problem may be internal to the transmission, or it may be because of a different shift pattern than the one your steering column was set up for.
If you can get the car to a mechanic that is familiar with the 1951 and up Fordomatics, he should be able to figure out what is wrong.
To drive the car, you can disconnect all the linkage and manually put the car in drive by moving the lever on the side of the transmission. I don't know how many clicks from park that will be, because I don't know what year transmission you have, but you can jack up the car so the wheels can spin, start the engine, and play with the lever until you find "drive" and just leave it there so you can drive it to the shop. If you can't find "drive" that way, the problem is at least partly inside the transmission.
Be careful when you do this, because your neutral safety switch isn't working - (the car will start in gear!)
Sorry I can't be more help.
Dick
