1968 Console Woes

[franklinair]

I started to assemble/install my lower console today. Woe is me! I have the correct floor shift unit w/ the white plastic rod that moves the shift indicator. The ABS plastic base has a large broken area @ the L. front attach point for the shift indicator piece, which I THINK I can fix.
But I don't see where the white plastic rod attaches to the shift indicator.:icon_pani And I'm not seeing where the light should be attached either.
Anyone got a photo/drawing showing the assembly??
I can't stand the thought of the Deluxe interior without the console.
Woe and begotten. I'm going home and have a Manhattan.

Neil

 

[teamlo]

Neil,

I guess I should be the one to offer you some assistance with the console issue. The white plastic rod goes from the shift lever (special hole on the console shifter bracket) to the shift indicator light bulb housing. The light bulb housing slides into the piece with the P-R-N-D-2-1, thus illuminating the indicator when the shifter is moved into various gear positions. You just slide it into the track and it moves back and forth as you shift. There is a pretty decent illustration of the console in the 1968 Ford Shop Manual.

I am having problems with my heater blower motor, so I am enjoying a few PBR Tall Boys as we speak!!

Terry

 

[franklinair]

I didn't think of the shop manual. I'll check it out tomorrow. My favorite saying: "When all else fails, read the manual."!

Neil

 

[teamlo]

I think the 1968 Mustang Interior Assembly Manual (they reproduce it, I have a copy) has a nice pic of it too. Maybe better than the Shop Manual.

Terry

 

[mmarsalone]

Neil,


I am having problems with my heater blower motor, so I am enjoying a few PBR Tall Boys as we speak!!

Terry

Sorry to hijack the thread, but what kind of problems are you having with your blower motor?

Mine quit working on all three speeds and I haven't began to troubleshoot it yet. Mine is an AC car with console, so it's hard to get to the resistor to check for voltages.

Maybe if you've dug into yours, could you let me know what you've found?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[teamlo]

Mike,

The blower motor just stopped working. The external wires are frayed (common problem with the original blower motor). I have a replacement motor in hand. I haven't started the job yet, but I know it is NOT FUN. It's the only thing keeping my car off the road right now. New Hampshire requires a functional defroster on all cars built after 1949. I have to have it inspected every 2 years, and it's my year! I'll let you know how it goes. It may just ultimately be bad wiring. Virginia Classic Mustang offers replacement wiring for original motors, but to be safe, I just ordered a whole new motor. I tested it already, so I know it works.

Terry

 

[mmarsalone]

Thanks Terry. I think I'll dig into mine this week.

Mike

 

[GT/CS S Code]

The obvious solution ...

Neil, I spotted your problem right away. You obviously need a 4 speed car and then you wouldn't have this problem with the shifter lights on your lower console!
:grin:

 

[GT/CS S Code]

... but ...

... but instead you'd be "lighting" up the back tires!
:grin:

 

[franklinair]

1.) I'm too lazy the shift gears.
2.) I need the indicator to remind me what gear I've selected.
3.) I'm the old fart in front of you driving 40MPH. (Lighting up back tires prohibited)

Neil

 

[franklinair]

I took some photos to show what I have, but I keep getting an "upload error" for some reason when I try "Manage Attachments".
There's one section of the console broken/missing where the indicator piece mounts, but I think I can fix it with fiberglass.
I have the correct shifter unit with the eyelet for the white ABS rod, but don't see where the other end attaches.
Can't figure out where the light attaches.
The Shop Manual doesn't show enough detail.
The Manhattan I had last night didn't help solve my dilemna either. I'll try another one tonight.

Neil

 

[6t8-390gt]

I would bet you are missing this piece. It slides into the selector and covers the majority of the bulb.

 

[franklinair]

Exactly right. I don't have that part.

Neil

 

[teamlo]

Neil, I sent you a PM.

http://www.carpartsdiscount.com/auto/parts/68/ford/mustang/interior_lighting/shift_indicator_lamp_w_console.html?3593=4657

Terry

 

[franklinair]

Well, thanks to Terry's input, I found the missing light assembly (duhh). It was in a small box that had sifted down through the styrofoam peanuts in the large shipping box.
Now I can regroup and put this puppy together.

Neil

 

[teamlo]

Thanks Neil! Glad you located it. Post some pics of the console once you get it installed! I'm eager to see it.

Best regards,

Terry

 

[hookedtrout]

Another perfect example of how life should work. This group is great! I'm the type that hates to ask for help, this is like therapy for me, I could help all day but when I'm in a crisis myself I will struggle for days before breaking down and asking for help.

 

[franklinair]

A good day today! Installed new shifter unit, checked alignment of the shift position & indicator=Perfect. Of course I have the front carpet & seats out. (The PO had GLUED the carpet to the floor insulation- not fun to remove that, but all is well.) Tomorrow I'll locate the harness connection for the courtesy light for the rear of the console, reinstall the carpet, and install the console.
My Manhattan is gonna taste really good tonite!!

Neil

PS:
Steve, thanks for your kind offer to help me post photos. I may have to take you up on that.

 

[GT/CS S Code]

4 speed cars are easy to drive ...

1.) I'm too lazy the shift gears.
2.) I need the indicator to remind me what gear I've selected.
3.) I'm the old fart in front of you driving 40MPH. (Lighting up back tires prohibited)

Neil

Neil, it's easy to keep track of which gear you're in when driving a 4 speed GT/CS ...

1. Fast
2. Faster
3. Faster still!
4. OMG!
R. Still not sure what this gear is for ...?
:grin:

 

[franklinair]

Believe it or not, my FIRST Mustang was a '65 coupe 289, manual tranny. But that was 42 years ago! Perhaps Rob will let me see if I can still coordinate clutch & shifter:icon_pani

Neil