A few days ago I started a thread about not being able to get my 4 speed into reverse on my 69. With some good suggestions from here I removed the shifter and installed the common rebuilt kit. While at it I removed the interlock cable and found it a bit difficult to push and pull. After lubing it with cable lube it now moves freely. After installing the rebuild kit the shifter works great to all positions. While reinstalling the interlock cable it won't move the lever on the steering column upward far enough to allow removal of the key and locking the steering wheel. There was no issue before removing the cable and shifter, so I have to assume I have something out of position. Each end of the cable housing is secured in brackets on the transmission and steering column bracket. No adjustment on either end. The shifter rod correctly moves the reverse lever on the transmission as far forward as the lever will travel, even it the rod is disconnected. There doesn't seem to be anything I can do to get the cable to travel further to move the steering column lever more upward. Either end of the cable needs to travel about 1/4 to 3/8" further to get the cable to connect to the pin on the steering column lever. If I move the lever down to reach the cable, the key can't be removed.

Because I'm grasping at straws now, I'll throw this out there. Just before tackling the shifter rebuild I had removed all of the interior to install LED lighting, repaint everything, install new carpet and seat foam and covers. To give more working room I removed the steering wheel. Is there any chance I could have dislocated anything that would cause my issues? The horn still works fine and the steering wheel is properly centered.

Thanks
Mike

 

Now that you have identified the interlock cable as the problem, how important is it to you to have that cable and function?

Later 4-speeds did not have that cable, and seem to work just fine. You can pin the lever in place, and never worry about it again.

Otherwise, perhaps try to find another cable to test. Perhaps the cable frayed internally, and lost some length?

 

That engineer's bright idea cable will look and work perfectly fine in the round file box in the corner of the garage.

There's lots of bright ideas on these C3s that looked good on paper 40+ yrs ago.
Not so much now.

 

Maybe this will help some.

 

That may be but, the locking steering column was mandated by the Feds.

"In 1966, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114 was passed, although this was not to become effective until 1970. It required all manufacturers to equip new passenger cars with a key-locking system that prevented the car from being steered or driven forward without the ignition key."

By the way, I agree with your premise, pitch the cable.

 

Thanks for the replies. After working on the car so long, I'm ready to get it back on the road and might take the path suggested by Bikespace. It just bothers me that I can't figure out what's changed to cause this issue.

I fully agree with HeadsU.P.

Thanks TurboTodd for the detailed information. I'll take a look to see if I can reach the nuts that must be loosened to make the minor adjustment described. Should be easier than reaching the power booster nuts.

 

I could be wrong but thinking if you disable the cable It could be possible to turn off and lock the steering wheel while the car is in motion. Something to ponder.

 

Since you have the cable operating properly now, why not just put it back on and call it "original".

 

Although the cable moves freely back and forth, when connected to the reverse lever I can't get the other end to reach the pin on the steering column lever. This is when the lever is in the 1 o'clock position as required to lock the steering wheel and remove the key. I've been reading related threads all morning. Didn't find any quick fixes. Now I'll go out to the car to see if I can adjust the lower column plate as described in the attachment of a previous post.

 

Sometimes you can loosen the cable hold downs and twist and turn the entire cable, wiggle it around until it fits.