Forty-five years ago, Ford brought us some mighty hardy manual transmissions. The Top Loader three- and four-speed transmissions were tough and durable, and they remain the standard today in all-out competition because they don't break.
But what were Ford engineers thinking when they designed Mustang floor shifters? They were terrible right off the assembly line and only got worse with time and use. We'd have to ask the same question of Chrysler engineers, who came up with the same broomstick-in-a-barrel floor-shifter for Plymouth and Dodge performance cars before switching to the Hurst units in its muscle cars. Ford did the same thing in its muscle cars starting in 1970.
If you're not inclined to install an aftermarket shifter, there is hope for factory shifters by rebuilding with a Scott Drake Enterprises Shift Repair Kit from Virginia Classic Mustang. Three- and four-speed shifters are basically the same except for reverse lockout on four-speeds.
For our four-speed shifter...
For our four-speed shifter bushing replacement project, we called Virginia Classic Mustang to order a Scott Drake Super Shift Repair Kit, #C5ZZ-7208-AK, which includes super-hard shouldered bolts, rubber grommets, cups, and springs. Don't forget wavy washers and cotter pins for the shifter linkage underneath for smooth operation. Visit your local AutoZone store for white lithium grease and a can of brake cleaner.
If your Mustang is like most...
If your Mustang is like most from '65-'70, you will be able to simply lift the chrome escutcheon and boot to get to the shifter because, more than likely, someone in the car's past has removed the boot and not bothered to reattach it . However, if the boot is secured to the tunnel, you will have to remove the seats, rocker sill plates, and kick panels to pull the carpet aside to get to the boot. Think about ordering a new boot and shifter dust shield while you're at it.
Two bolts secure the shifter...
Two bolts secure the shifter handle. You will need a 1/2-inch socket to break them loose.