Shift collar for '71 f250

[Littlebluetruck]

Replacing the shift collar on my '71 f250 with automatic. Truck originally had a 4 speed (Editing original post..trans was originally 4 speed manual).automatic, so how much of the existing steering column is original is unclear to me. Purchased a replacement shift collar from D. Carpenter, which covers a number years/models. Seems to be a super common part, it's just a little different from the part that broke. Too small to fit on the shift tube and detent spring screws are in a different place (outer side vs. inner side). The shift collar I'm replacing has the shift indicator included as part of the casting. Anyone have any idea what it came off of? Lots of other weird stuff once I took it apart. Signal collar t-bolts were not attached to steering column and no snap ring on steering shaft... I'm not sure what was holding it all together, I guess just the steering wheel bolt. Signal collar looks to be OEM for model year of truck. Love to hear any ideas and thank you!

[Littlebluetruck]

Editing original post..trans was originally 4 speed manual.

[DuckRyder]

I’m reasonably sure that the original is a shift collar for a 68 or 69 (not sure about 67 and 70). I can’t find documentation presently but remember the differences from when I replaced my shift collar.

The new one is the correct one for your truck, and the pointer is available (at least it was a while back).

The steering shaft itself is also different as the treads on the later column are longer. Does your truck have a 2 spoke steering wheel or 3 spoke?

[Littlebluetruck]

Thanks for your reply. Steering wheel is a two spoke. From what I have seen that new collar covers '65-'77 F series with automatics. If I could get it on the shift tube, it would probably work. It's close to going on. Wondering if I can heat it up a touch. Even if I can get it on, I think I'm going to run into trouble with the shifter detent (sp?) screws that hold down that spring since there was no little plate on the old one. As far as I can tell, it was just the edge of the screw holding the spring in place. (I haven't tried switching the shifter over to the new part yet since it's all moot if it won't go on the shift tube). I just feel like there's a different collar that would fit on the tube.

Really appreciate your help!

[DuckRyder]

Perhaps it is a dent side column:

Have a look at:

http://www.fordification.com/tech/tilt.htm

You could be right about the collar, perhaps its just the pointers and lens that vary between the bumps, i’ll have to let someone more up to date on that fill in any gaps.

[Littlebluetruck]

Thanks for the link, a lot of good information, but if anything, I'm guessing my column would be from earlier years. I'm putting in a new turn signal switch while I have it all torn apart. The turn signal switch (old and new one) are period correct for my truck '71+-. Having said that, it really sounds like these columns were very interchangable for many model years so I don't understand why the shift tube would be just a little bigger on mine. I'm wondering if the new collar is off a bit. May try some sanding/grinding to see if I can get it to slide on.

[Littlebluetruck]

Attaching a few more photos to help identify.

[FLASH 1]

Sent one to you a ORIGINAL FORD Part, But just to let you know I have had 2 others send me those worthless pieces of Junk to me shift collars to see what the problem was and one I spent 3 hours trying to hand fit the shift collar on the shift tube with no luck anymore I see will go straight to the crusher pile in which would be to good for these worthless parts, Just another typical pieces of junk sent to us from over seas that the big companies are getting richer

[sargentrs]

Hey, Tom, can you inform us of the different models his original collar vs replacement collar, specifically the shift indicator part, were on? This is not the first time that question has come up. My '70 had the collar with the slot where the indicator installs. His original had it cast into the collar. Personally I would have preferred that style instead of having a separate part to install.

[farmallmta]

As I recall, the 3spd manual collar and 4spd manual collar interchange on the respective columns, but the automatic column is mostly different, meaning the auto collar won't fit onto a manual column. If so, then the best bet would be to just get the whole auto column. There's a zillion of them out there, so you should find one easily.

[FLASH 1]

With the built in pointer have seen on trucks from 65/70 But when it was change cannot on most of 73/77's always the push in pointer and the replacement part # was a D5TZ-7228 # that superseded the original's # I have see in the earlier trucks A C # and these collars will fit 65/77 but like I said has the push in pointer, The built pointers are hard to find and can be pricey

[sargentrs]

Thanks, Tom!