P.S.- follow up;  Investigating my accident, I found that the lift lever latching for Park, was not engaging properly into the indent on the steering wheel hub. It appeared that I should be able to adjust the length of the threaded shift rod down to the transmission to engage better. In doing so it might also center the quadrent readout better... However, apparently adjustabilty is quite limited, because when I did adjust it a fair amount, it still didn't latch really well & then the car would no longer start in the "neutral" position. Obviously that is not satisfactory!  Another factor involved here possibly, is that  the entire steering column was out of the car some years ago, & maybe there is some misalignment in the reinstall ?.. Any suggestions anyone?          


Paul

Ford sent out these stupid stickers in the 80's. It was to save their ass from a 23 million car recall of Fords with automatic transmission built between 1966 to 1980.


~DJ~ AKA "Bleach"
1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan 30K original miles

Cars jumping in gear is the exact reason that newer vehicles won't come out of park without pressing on the brake pedal.   My dad had a 72 torino jump out of gear into reverse just as he was getting into it.   Lucky that time.    In the 80's he left a tempo in drive and shut it off.  Took the key out and walked in  the house.   1/2hour later a neighbor was knocking telling him the car was across the road.   Lucky no damage or anyone hurt!!

I use a big rubber chock I found by the side of the road years ago. It must have fallen of a large truck.
I had something similar happen to me years ago while I was adjusting the idle on a 67 Cadillac in my garage. I had the parking brake on while the car was in drive. Something happened and it lurched forward. There was about a foot of space between the car and the wall. It nearly pinned me but I moved out of the way in time. The front bumper punched some nice holes in the wall and I got bruised as well.



~DJ~ AKA "Bleach"
1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan 30K original miles

I have had  the old ford matics loaded on the trailer , ready to tie down , pop out of park and roll off the trailer ,before I could chock them up. Now , I tie them down and screw 2 by 4's on both front and back , no issues now . Po ol Davie

Po ol Davie

Sparta , Tn.

Sounds pretty uncomfortable. Got to look at the Bright Side Paul. At least You are still around to feel the Pain. Get better soon. 

  

Thanks for the well wishes, appreciated!.. And the accident story posts give us all something to think about.. My whole right leg is swollen up & black & blue & the cut & abraised area at the knee has to be dressed everyday. Doc said to keep my leg up most of the day.. Problem with that is it stiffens right up & I can barely put my weight on it when I get up. On anti infection pills for the next 10 days & go back to the Doc next week... Won't be driving for quite some time.. A buddy of mine made me a set of blocks out of old fence posts with belting attached.. they say "Ford approved" & Paul Safe"  Better late than never I guess..


Paul

Paul.  THANKS for sharing your experience.  I sincerely hope you have a speedy and complete recovery.  My prayers are with you and those you love.

Our fellow Forum members have added generously to expand and underscore your message. 

This is a fantastic group of people to be associated with.  Thanks to all who have made the time to share.their knowledge, experiences, and caring for others.

Best Wishes to all for what you bring to this forum and my life.

Regards,
Charlie Brown


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

Years ago I turned wrenches at a Buick dealership.  The tuneup guy in the next stall was adjusting the carb idle on a '59 Buiick with the trans in gear and the parking brake set.  After adjusting the idle speed and mixture, he "blipped" the throttle to see if it returned to his settings.  However, this car had a broken motor mount, and when he blipped the throttle the engine raised up which pulled the throttle wide open.  Luckily he was beside the car instead of in front of it.  The car smashed his two story tool box against a concrete block wall and his tools scattered everywhere.  Lesson learned.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

The main thing is to make it a habit, it becomes second nature. Military and government fleets have long drilled this into drivers.

Particularly on any kind of hill, parking is done such that the front wheels are turned that even in the case of a rollaway, the truck won't move far. The curb is first used as a chock as well, this alone keeps it from rolling.

Then the hand brake is applied. Finally the transmission is placed in reverse, or maybe 1st, or placed in "Park" if an automatic. This takes any strain off the parking pawl in an automatic, and further now the pawl isn't the only thing keeping the car from rolling down the hill.

Instead of one component - the pawl - holding the vehicle from crashing into a tree at the bottom of the hill - there's three, four if the driver further chocks the wheels.

Chocked wheels are also important when camping or in the field too. Like I said it's a habit thing. It makes the operator look at the parked vehicle and think about what happens, if somehow it were to roll. I use a chock block in the garage because I don't want to encourage the park or hand brake to corrode in place or stick if left engaged over the winter. I use lots of chock blocks when jacking up wheels or any work like that under the truck.

A walkaround is important too, collector cars don't get driven as often as they should. Don't run over the lawnmower, put the tools away, find a fire extinguisher and carry it.