66 Auto Shift Adjustment

[William B.]

Gentlemen,

I have a early 66 327/300 auto (powerglide) built Oct 65. I have replaced the shifter mechanism and the neutral safety switch/harness. When I start the old gal she does as she should when in park. But when she's in neutral there's not a sound. Now, if I push the shift leaver forward approximately 1/2 inch (not depressing the shifter button) with the ignition switch turned to start, she starts. Question is; how do I adjust the switch to start in both park and neutral? I don't want to fix something that doesn't need fixing. On the bottom of the shifter housing, the neutral safety switch attaches to the shifter with a bracket and two screws. Each of the two screw holes is elongated, apparently to allow up and down adjustments (I think). I need some "how to" guidance from you wise fellows , please.

Thanks,

Ken Bryant
42259

[Russ S.]

Re: 66 Auto Shift Adjustment

That's not up/dn movement but rotating movement. Loosen the screw slightly (just enough to barely rotate the switch) and rotate the switch a little at a time checking as you do that it will start in park and neutral but not in drive or any other positions.

[William B.]

Re: 66 Auto Shift Adjustment

Thanks. Thought about doing that, but had no idea of which way to rotate the bracket. Didn't want to get into a situation like shooting pegions in a dark barn at midnight. Will try your suggestion. Since I've got it starting in park; do you have a suggestion as to the next rotation? Thanks...

[Don H.]

Re: 66 Auto Shift Adjustment

William, I have not been able to adjust mine (65) to get both park & neutral to engage the starter since I installed the new neutral/safety switch about 16 years ago. I have not spent a lot of time on it but did try again this spring when I had the console out. I think the switch is not quite right as I have had 2 other mid-year powerglides and did not have this problem with them and I know I replaced the switch in one of them. I just learned to live with it . . . not the best solution but too many other "fixes" are above it on the list. Good luck, Don H.

[Russ S.]

Re: 66 Auto Shift Adjustment

It's been a couple years since I did mine so I don't recall exactly which way to suggest you turn it but I know mine wasn't real difficult although at first it did confuse me a bit to the point I wondered if I would get it but it ended up not being that difficult. Trial and error.

[John H.]

Re: 66 Auto Shift Adjustment

Here's a great writeup on restoration of the Powerglide shifter and neutral safety switch by Dave Zuberer; great accompaniment to the adjustment procedure in the Assembly Manual in section M35, sheet A7.


PowerglideShifterResto.pdf

[William B.]

Re: 66 Auto Shift Adjustment

Thanks for all your helpful comments. I'm still at it with the old gal. Will let you know how it turns out.

Ken Bryant