HELP c4 Reverse/Park problem - valvebody is off

[novaboy009]

I have a stock c4 out of a '71 Ranger that I junked. It's in fine condition except being a little greasy and shifted fine through all gears when this started. I'm swapping the 3 speed manual in my good truck over to the c4 auto. I converted to a b&m floor shifter in the good truck. The floor shifter kit has a bracket that goes on top of the shift lever to get through P-R-N-1-2-D. The instructions have you cut off the factory bracket because it interferes with the b&m bracket. I cut the bracket as best I could but it was at an awkward angle. I had to bend the bracket back and forth to get it to break off. Between this and moving the transmission around a lot, I think I might have dropped a linkage along the way inside the case. After installing the b&m shift bracket, the transmission no longer moves into reverse or park by hand. I could only engage N-1-2-D. I could hear some clinking noises in the case, making me think something had come off. So I pulled the pan and found this lever kind of hanging out. It runs smack into the side of some metal because it doesn't appear to be hooked up correctly. There was also a spring pushed way up in the top of the case that didn't seem to be doing anything. When I tried to grab it, it went back into a part of the case that I can't reach

I'm guessing I'll need to pull the tail shaft off to get back to the spring. Magnets, mirrors and pliers could not locate it.

So, the question at hand..... where the heck is this rod supposed to go (circled). And is that the reason why I'm not getting reverse and park?

[fordman]

i think that is the parking pawl rod. it usually has a spring on it and goes back into the rear tailhousing. and will hook into a gear looking thing on the tail shaft. when put into park position. here is somewhat of a c4 diagram to maybe help you out.

[fordman]

and here is a link to an even better view of that rod and how it is suppose to hook up. http://www.fordification.com/tech/images/c4_03.jpg

[novaboy009]

Sounds like I need to pull the tailshaft, get the spring back, and hook the spring back on the parking pawl. My guess is that I will then have park, eh?

[fordman]

that should do it.

[novaboy009]

I have the tailshaft off. I found the two washers and the spring. Now..... how the heck do I get this thing to work? The pin is busted, so I need to replace that. Do they want the spring and two washers on the rod between the pin and a nub on the rod? Or do the want it between the pin and the bracket that attaches to the parking drum engaging thing? I can't see how Ford got this thing to stay in place, it's just kind of floating there with no pin or keeper to hold it on the park drum engaging bracket.

[fordman]

i think the spring goes on. then the two washers then the pin holds everything on the rod.

[BobbyFord]

Prolly should be a washer on each end of the spring, then the pin.
Found this pic on the internet:

[novaboy009]

I got it. The bracket on the parking pawl that engages the park drum had gotten pushed onto the wrong side of the band. I took the bracket off and put it on the other side so that when the rod lengthens it engages the band (like it's supposed to)! I had to use a cotter pin instead of a drift pin, but should be fine.

Wow, that was really annoying.

[fordman]

thanks bobby. i should have just looked at the diagram instead of trying to remember an image in my head.