Need Help 70 Mechanical Ignition Lockout

[70 RED 454]

I may not have the terminology right, but in my 70 I have to have the 4 speed in reverse in order to turn the ignition key.

Problem is the lockout doesn't always engage fully and I cannot turn the key. I've been able in the past to grip the steering column and rotate the movable lockout sleeve just enough to engage it and free the ignition switch. Since then I've had the dash apart fixing wiring issues and needed to 'lower' the steering column to remove the panels. I've now finished and rebolted the column to the dash bracket and tightened the bracket at the fiewall. Problem now is putting the shifter in reverse does not engage the lockout at all......meaning I cannot see the sleeve rotating when shifting into reverse. Fortunately (unfortunately)....the key was in the ignition when I started all of this and I cannot get it out (although I can start it and turn it off).

I've fiddled with the positioning of the firewall bracket in order to maximize the throw of the wire coming from the transmission (to engage or rotate the sleeve).......but no go. I've reread the steering column instructions in the assembly manual so many time I know the steps by heart.......but to no avail.

Can anyone tell me how to fix this? I can move the lever attached to the sleeve by hand but I cannot get the key out.

 

[Eddie 70]

Try disconnecting the cable on the firewall, engine compartment side, and see moving the lever by hand will give you the amount of movement necessary to remove the key. I hope this make sense.

 

[JohnZ]

Can you see the interlock lever at the bottom of the column move at all when you shift into reverse? Does the shift lever move freely in and out of reverse?

If the shift lever moves freely but you don't see any motion of the interlock lever, either the cable is broken or is disconnected at the reverse lever on the transmission.

 

[70 RED 454]

Thanks guys, I was able to disconnect the cable at the firewall and I could manually move the lever. I then inspected the cable and saw a little more exposed inner cable at the transmission than I thought was needed.....so I took a pair of vice grips and pulled on the inner cable from the firewall end. Sure enough, I ended up with about 3/4 inch more cable.......enough to properly work the interlock lever. Unfortunately when I reconnected everything (after greasing the inner cable) I ended up with the same problem. Seems there is a kink in the cable somewhere or else the exposed portion nearest the transmission is too weak to 'push through' and it just bends without going through the outer cable. I will try to disconnect the whole thing and install it the opposite way in hopes the other end isn't so weak. If that fails I guess I'll have to find another cable assembly somewhere or try to replace the inner cable myself.

Thanks for the help.

mike

 

[Ritchie]

I had the same problem. The key was very hard to remove. When I put the key back in it would not turn. I looked under the booster and saw just the cable and no lever. I looked again at the steering wheel and it hit me. The wheel is not a 76, it looks like a 77 to 80(??) w/ the finger lever. Any way the lever had no effect on the key turning. I turned the key real hard and something popped, now it turns with or without the key LOL. I am tempted to go with the street rod set up with a ingition toggle, push button start and a kill switch. This car is getting a body off (frame off) restoration any hoo.