Mustang Automatic Shift Lever (1965-1968) Installation Instructions
The Automatic Shift Lever will fit 1965-1968 Mustangs.
By now, your original automatic shift lever is likely very worn out and dull. This new Automatic Shift Lever for 1965-1968 Mustangs gives your shifter some new life, with all new internal mechanisms and cable, plus a beautiful chrome plated finish.
Tools Required:
- Small & Large Slotted Screw Drivers
- Pliers
- 3/32-inch Allen Wrench
- Socket Wrench & Extension
- 9/16-inch Socket
- 5/16-inch, 7/16-inch Wrenches
- Phillips Head Screw Driver
Install Difficulty:
- Moderate Project
1. Before starting the installation of your new Mustang Automatic Shift Lever, wiggle your existing shifter side to side. If the shifter moves more that 1/4-inch you need new shifter bushings, which are much easier to replace at the same time as you replace the shifter lever. A loose shifter can easily be knocked out of park. To start disassembly, remove the keys and chock the wheels, since the car can easily come out of park. Locate and loosen the Allen screw on the t-handle. Pull it straight up to remove it.
2. Remove the four Phillips head screws on the Mustang automatic shifter bezel cover and pull it straight up to remove it.
Pull the carpet back and remove the four screws from the Mustang automatic shifter cover retaining plate that lies beneath the bezel. Pull the plate out.
Remove the four 7/16-inch head bolts that hold the shifter assembly in place. Locate the two wires that feed the light on the shifter and follow them up under the carpet to their plugs. This will be about 6 inches back. The wires are taped down, but you should be able to carefully pull them out far enough to expose the connectors. Unplug them. Use pliers to squeeze the clip that holds light to shifter. Remove it. Now you can lift the shifter assembly up far enough to locate the spring pin that fastens the Mustang automatic shifter linkage rod to the transmission linkage. Be careful that you do not move the linkage enough to take the transmission out of park. Remove the pin and the washers. Now you can slide the linkage off and pull the entire shifter assembly out of the car.
3. Locate the rubber plug on the right side of the assembly. Push it out from the inside, being careful not to damage it. Use the hole you just exposed to access the nut that holds the shifter to the shift rod. Remove the 9/16-inch head nut. Wiggle the shifter to release it from the shift rod. You may have to pry it off. Pull the shift lever out. Slide the shifter rod out from the left side. This is a good time to clean and repaint the rod and mounting if you desire to clean up your Mustang shifter accessories.
4. If you are putting in new Mustang automatic transmission shifter linkage insulator bushing kit, replace them now. Clean and lubricate the shift rod with a bit of grease and insert it back into the mounting. Align the new shift lever on the shift rod shaft. Replace the 9/16 head nut. Tighten securely, making sure the alignment is maintained.
5. Temporarily replace the Mustang automatic shifter handle with buttons being careful to align the button properly. Move the shifter through its full motion. If the shifter will not move from park position the cable needs shortened.
Adjust the shift lever cable length if necessary. Locate the 5/16-inch head nut at the bottom of the shift lever and place a wrench on it. While holding the wrench, use a small slotted screwdriver to turn the cable that runs inside the shift lever. For every half turn of adjustment, remove wrench and let the cable spring back to its natural position. When it is in adjustment there should be no slack in the cable, and the fully depressed T-handle button should just barely allow the shifter to move from park. Before proceeding, make sure the pawl that the button moves does not bind and sits properly in its notch when the shifter is in park position.
6. Replace the rubber plug. Reattach the shift linkage. Place a bead of auto body seam sealer around the shift mount flange (optional). Bolt shifter assembly back into place. Move the shifter through its full range of motion and return it to park. Make sure that the transmission goes completely into park when the shifter is all the way forward. Remove the T-handle. Replace the light. Plug the wires back in. Tuck the excess wire up under the carpet. Replace the plate that you removed in step 2. Replace the bezel. Replace the T-handle, don’t forget to tighten the Allen screw. Start the car and make sure the shifter displays the proper gear in each position. The installation of your new Mustang Automatic Shift Lever is now complete.
