ConcoursMustang Forums

1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1968 Mustang => Topic started by: Oz390 on July 17, 2012, 05:04:30 AM

Title: toploader reverse switch install
Post by: Oz390 on July 17, 2012, 05:04:30 AM
Please don't tell me I have to drop the transmission to install it...   does it go on from below or thru the shifter opening?  I can't even fit it up to get the correct orientation...

The Shop Manual is very helpful noting "the backup light switch is located on the transmission".   

As the car was in bits when I got it I did not know it was missing, everything else is back in and with the rubber dust seal, trans, exhaust and driveshaft not a lof of room to figure out how it fits and how to get it in....

help!

???
Title: Re: toploader reverse switch install
Post by: Bob Gaines on July 17, 2012, 12:47:55 PM
Please don't tell me I have to drop the transmission to install it...   does it go on from below or thru the shifter opening?  I can't even fit it up to get the correct orientation...

The Shop Manual is very helpful noting "the backup light switch is located on the transmission".   

As the car was in bits when I got it I did not know it was missing, everything else is back in and with the rubber dust seal, trans, exhaust and driveshaft not a lof of room to figure out how it fits and how to get it in....

help!

???
No you don't have to drop the transmission. It can be a little difficult to wiggle in after the fact . The dust boot makes it more difficult . You will most likely have to take the shifter control loose from the trans enough to get maneuvering room .  The illustration in the assembly manual will give you a idea about the orientation.
Title: Re: toploader reverse switch install
Post by: Oz390 on July 23, 2012, 06:37:09 AM
Thanks for the tip on the FAM.  Had looked in the electrical one, not there, found the one you referenced elsewhere for the orientation, which made it pretty easy to get in.

The boot actually has a slit/hole and fishing it in from the passenger side was a lot easier than I had expected.  Done and in place...

Thanks!
Title: Re: toploader reverse switch install
Post by: TonyH on April 26, 2020, 04:31:15 PM
I have a couple of questions about the routing for the backup light switch harness.  Car is an early 1968 San Jose S-Code with a 4 speed.

Assembly manual shows a clip on the right side of the extension housing pretty close to the switch.  I don't have any attachment points anywhere near the area the manual appears to be referencing.  What am I missing here?

The assembly manual also does not show any type of retaining clips running the harness up to the firewall.  Does the harness just lay across the top of the trans?  I thought I'd seen somewhere that the harness was secured to the trans cover plate bolts with a c-clamp similar to the ones used on the heads to route the engine harness to the distributor and coil.

v/r
Tony
Title: Re: toploader reverse switch install
Post by: Bob Gaines on April 26, 2020, 05:51:53 PM
I have a couple of questions about the routing for the backup light switch harness.  Car is an early 1968 San Jose S-Code with a 4 speed.

Assembly manual shows a clip on the right side of the extension housing pretty close to the switch.  I don't have any attachment points anywhere near the area the manual appears to be referencing.  What am I missing here?

The assembly manual also does not show any type of retaining clips running the harness up to the firewall.  Does the harness just lay across the top of the trans?  I thought I'd seen somewhere that the harness was secured to the trans cover plate bolts with a c-clamp similar to the ones used on the heads to route the engine harness to the distributor and coil.

v/r
Tony
Special reverse light clip. It has a eyelet and bolts with on of the mounting bolts. NPD sells them. They can be hard to find but are in a area about in the middle of the book with other misc wiring harness clips and fashioners if I remember correctly  . I don't have a catalog handy to search through for you . Hopefully someone else can do the leg work.
Title: Re: toploader reverse switch install
Post by: TonyH on April 26, 2020, 06:15:13 PM
Thanks Bob.  I see one there listed for a 69 (from 10/1/69) and one for a 70-73.  Assuming neither is correct for a 68.  Will keep searching...

v/r
Tony
Title: Re: toploader reverse switch install
Post by: Bob Gaines on April 26, 2020, 07:03:56 PM
Thanks Bob.  I see one there listed for a 69 (from 10/1/69) and one for a 70-73.  Assuming neither is correct for a 68.  Will keep searching...

v/r
Tony
Tony, I went and found my catalog. The description is misleading in the catalog. The one you want looks like the picture to the left on page 226 14A163-1A  of the 2220 catalog .There is only a very slight difference between 67/68 and the 69 and up version. It was done about 10 years ago .The difference is so minimal between the two versions that the repro company decided at the time that it wasn't worth the cost of tooling for two different clips because of it.  I would venture to say that 99.9% of Mustang enthusiasts could not tell the difference. It is highly unlikely you will find one used and this is the only repro. Your choice of course.
Title: Re: toploader reverse switch install
Post by: TonyH on April 26, 2020, 08:30:48 PM
Perfect...thanks Bob!

v/r
Tony
Title: Re: toploader reverse switch install
Post by: 67GT500 on April 29, 2020, 06:01:51 AM
Pic might be of some use.. It's a 67 not a 68, but might be similar..
Title: Re: toploader reverse switch install
Post by: Bob Gaines on April 29, 2020, 12:34:41 PM
Pic might be of some use.. It's a 67 not a 68, but might be similar..
Same switch but mounted incorrectly. 67/68 mounted the same. It mounted so that it did not stick outward but instead mounted just the opposite and laid back towards the tailshaft. I will look to see if I can find a picture unless someone else posts one first --Jeffffff .
Title: Re: toploader reverse switch install
Post by: 67GT500 on April 30, 2020, 02:41:54 AM
Good to know.. I'll switch it around..
Title: Re: toploader reverse switch install
Post by: TonyH on April 30, 2020, 07:48:21 AM
Got the clip from NPD yesterday and it is very close to the picture.  Thanks for the help!

v/r
Tony