Neutral Safety Switch nightmare

[Dusty Dude]

Hi All,

Looking to find out if anyone can lead me to where I can find the correct NSS for my 1975 727. The one I bought from Napa (which is listed as the correct one?) works fine except it will not allow the backup lights to operate. I did a search and finally found an older thread where someone had exactly the same problem I have and discovered that the switch is actually too long so that when it is screwed into the trans it opens the connection between the outside pins when the trans is in reverse. The fix was a switch with a shorter length in the threaded area. The switch I have has five full threads vs the one he found that has four. I found what appears to be what I need (according to the pictures) at several places but unfortunately nobody has it and they don't know if they ever will. I see pictures of what I want on Ebay but seeing as how everyone on there has the same picture I am skeptical.
So........... does anyone know of a reputable place where I might be able to get the right switch. In the mean time I have machined a internally tapered spacer washer to move the switch out to where it will work but I would really prefer to have the correct switch.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

I don’t, but I have an idea. Lay one little tack weld on the “short” switch you have to make it longer

 

[Dusty Dude]

I don’t, but I have an idea. Lay one little tack weld on the “short” switch you have to make it longer

Thank you Sir but the switch I have is already too long. It needs to be shorter in order to work properly.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Thank you Sir but the switch I have is already too long. It needs to be shorter in order to work properly.

My mistake. Put yours on a grinder and shorten it a little bit at a time

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[Dusty Dude]

Pardon Our Interruption...

Thanks 1 wild R/T. I just ordered one from Rick Rehrenberg. Made in USA even! Imagine that.

 

[Dusty Dude]

Well, I got the new NSS from Rick Rehrenberg and no doubt it is a good looking switch but unfortunately it is dimensionally the same as the one I originally got from NAPA which is supposed to be the correct one for my 1975 727. I went ahead and installed it anyway and sure enough it will not turn on the back up lights but works perfectly otherwise just like the NAPA one does.

Posted below are a couple of pictures for your perusal;

#1 is the only picture I have of the rooster comb that is in the trans. It is what was in it when I got the car. The trans already had a shift kit in it but I bought one anyway and went through the whole installation procedure just to make sure as this is the first auto trans I have ever rebuilt. I am proud to say that it does work perfectly and that when I drained a gallon + of fluid out of it to change the switch I found not a spec of material stuck to the drain plug magnet which was a major relief.
I understand the picture is not the greatest but can someone tell me if in fact this is the correct rooster comb for this trans. Everything on this car has been messed with by backyard Bubba so who the hell knows what is right or wrong. The last two plus years have been a real education and a full blown exercise in "classic car mission creep!".

#2 is a spacer I made to move the switch away from the plastic shoe by effectively "shortening" the distance the switch goes into the trans body. I tapered both sides of the spacer 25 degrees and put a o-ring on the side that contacts the trans housing and left the original washer/seal on the other side in its proper place. The spacer ended up being about 0.110" thick and with it I now have backup lights and a properly operating NSS.

Hopefully some one can let me know if in fact my trans actually has the right rooster comb in it so at least I will know one way or the other whether Bubba hit me again or not. I really hate fixing a problem but not knowing what caused it.

Thank you All.

 

[Terry1213]

Contact A&A Transmissions at aanaatrans.com or call 317 831-3066. Good People. They helped me with my 64 Polara.

 

[Dusty Dude]

Contact A&A Transmissions at aanaatrans.com or call 317 831-3066. Good People. They helped me with my 64 Polara.

Thanks Terry 1213. I bought several parts from them when I rebuilt the trans and yes they are good folks.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Rooster comb looks correct....