How loose or sloppy should 727 linkage be?

[mrmolding]

Kind of a noob to 727 shifter and kickdown linkage. Going through reconnecting my 70 RR steering column and column shifter I noticed that a lot of my linkage is loose where they meet at joints. When hooked up, I can kind of bounce each joint a bit. I’ve been staring at manuals and posts but can’t seem to find too much info. I know my car has a 68 440 stamp so it’s not original to the car. Just wondering if this is acceptable? Thanks!

 

[Don Frelier]

Mine are kinda sloppy as well.
I think the washer goes on top there below the clip.

 

[mrmolding]

Mine are kinda sloppy as well.
I think the washer goes on top there below the clip.

Thanks! In the pic the trans shifter from column just lifts up and down even when all hooked up. I guess I’ll accept it. Thanks again!

 

[66Satellite47]

It' very important that at the shift lever on the trans that the linkage makes a very firm connection. The shift lever into the trans must be tight in the correct position.

 

[493 Mike]

Shim the linkage at the selector lever with a flat washer in addition to the spring washer you already have. those spring washers need a flat surface on each side of them to work correctly.
Mike

 

[mrmolding]

Thanks! Makes sense!

 

[mrmolding]

I guess there needs to be some flex in the linkage for motor / tranny movement.

 

[barryv]

Kind of a noob to 727 shifter and kickdown linkage. Going through reconnecting my 70 RR steering column and column shifter I noticed that a lot of my linkage is loose where they meet at joints. When hooked up, I can kind of bounce each joint a bit. I’ve been staring at manuals and posts but can’t seem to find too much info. I know my car has a 68 440 stamp so it’s not original to the car. Just wondering if this is acceptable? Thanks!

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hi, do you happen to have any pics showing were the top lever in your picture goes. any other pics pf linkage assembly would be great. thanks

 

[mrmolding]

hi, do you happen to have any pics showing were the top lever in your picture goes. any other pics pf linkage assembly would be great. thanks

I’m good to go. I bought a bunch of bushings and clips and did it as close to the service manual as parts allowed.

 

[barryv]

I’m good to go. I bought a bunch of bushings and clips and did it per service manual.

i am actually asking you if you have pics that i can use for reference. thanks

 

[mrmolding]

Ok. I took these when I got done. Not sure if this helps.

 

[mrmolding]

I’m not too impressed by the black clip but it’s stock. We shall see over time how well it stays put.

 

[barryv]

Ok. I took these when I got done. Not sure if this helps.

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Hi, do u happen to have a picture were the top linkage goes to thanks

 

[mrmolding]

I looked in old photos and don't have anything right away. All of the pics from when I got the car were using wrong clips and nothing looked correct. So, I don't want to share that. I only took a pic of the bottom after I finished everything. But here is a pic from the 70 Plymouth Service manual. When I looked into this, I originally thought that the setups were similar. But looking on mega parts and ams obsolete, they seem to have different linkage setups for 383 4bbl & 2bbl, 440bbl, etc. I'd double check your application. My setup seems to be half of a 67 440 on the bottom and 383 from the carb down -- my tranny is from a 67 with a 440 but the car is a 70 RR with a 383. No idea which previous owner made the switch. I'd recommend looking on eBay and different vendors to see what is in their for-sale items and figure out what you need. But, the diagrams from the service manuals on mymopar.com are great.

 

[mrmolding]

I just thought of something -- I was able to get everything that I could not find from brewersperformance.com six months ago when I did this. They are great to deal with and should be able to give you what you need. They have lots of auto tranny parts even though they advertise as a 4-speed vendor. There are two types of the round spring clips that are similar the 4 speed linkage clips. One is thicker like on the 4 speed, but one is thinner -- I used one in one of my after photos above -- got it from brewers. I got the black clip from someone on eBay -- but I bought it as an OEM used linkage setup.

 

[barryv]

i am going to the mecum auction on saturday as a spectator. maybe i can find a nice original 70 charger/roadrunner that i can get some pictures. thanks for your help

 

[mrmolding]

i am going to the mecum auction on saturday as a spectator. maybe i can find a nice original 70 charger/roadrunner that i can get some pictures. thanks for your help

Sounds like fun! Enjoy!

 

[NoCar2023]

Ok. I took these when I got done. Not sure if this helps.

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This column shift?

 

[mrmolding]

Yes. 70 Column shift.

 

[Wietse]

You can weld the hole in the bracket and re-drill it to the correct size, or (what I did) weld a washer on both sides of the linkage flat section to create a nicely tight and centered hole.
Only the spring clip need to open up a little more to overcome the additional thickness.
Mine went from sloppy to snug after this.