The Ford Barn

paul2748 · 04-19-2016, 07:34 PM

Since the switch attaches to the shifter, it should be easy to install with no trans in the car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zuburg

Thanks, I'll let you know what I find, and how easy it was or wasn't to replace. I won't know if it works or not for awhile as I'm waiting for my Fordomatic to be rebuilt and new engine is not yet ready to be installed.

zuburg · 04-19-2016, 09:04 PM

Yes, that's another reason I'm making the change, much more room to work. The car originally was equipped with a manual transmission so I think the PO did some "custom" work to install the original switch. The wires are all taped up and there is not much slack to work with. I think I will cut the wires near the old switch and splice to the wires on the new switch and hope for the best. I'm guessing the original wires do not have any connectors like the new switch has, so they won't do me any good anyway.

paul2748 · 04-20-2016, 08:16 PM

Before cutting anything, check out the connections on both. Maybe easier than you think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zuburg

Yes, that's another reason I'm making the change, much more room to work. The car originally was equipped with a manual transmission so I think the PO did some "custom" work to install the original switch. The wires are all taped up and there is not much slack to work with. I think I will cut the wires near the old switch and splice to the wires on the new switch and hope for the best. I'm guessing the original wires do not have any connectors like the new switch has, so they won't do me any good anyway.

zuburg · 04-20-2016, 08:51 PM

Well, I think I got it all done today. Man is it hard working with little short wires. I won't know for sure until I get it all back together and can try it. Or should I hook up the battery and test it at the solenoid?

paul2748 · 04-21-2016, 07:42 PM

If you want to test it to prove the unit is ok or adjusted correctly, just run a battery wire to one of the NSS wires, put it in gear and use a test light on the other wire. The test light should only light up in neutral (or park and neutral if it's been modified).

Oilslickwillie · 04-23-2016, 03:01 PM

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Just finished installing new fuel tank and sender. Next job is installing a neutral safety switch. Car has a 302 with a C4 transmission. PO did not have a NSS at all, and car will start in any gear, not good at all. It's been a while since I have installed one. Right now there is no wiring for a NSS. Am I correct that it mounts on shifter on tranny and one wire of the NSS goes to ignition and the other wire coming out other side of NSS goes to the Selenoid. Also, on a C4 does it matter what year built or do I need to buy according to date on tranny?
Paul, that sounds like a good way to test if it's working. Will try to remember that.

rick55 · 04-23-2016, 09:28 PM

I don't get the discussion about start in neutral or park. One of my cars fitted with a Lokar shifter and Fordomatic starts in neutral and park, the other with FMX starts only in neutral.
Personally I wouldn't bother changing the switch.
Some years back I bought a 58 switch to change over to park and neutral start but the switch turned out to be the earlier neutral only in a 58 box. Cost me just under $100 by the time I got it and now I just can't be bothered.

fordor41 · 04-11-2021, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oilslickwillie

Just finished installing new fuel tank and sender. Next job is installing a neutral safety switch. Car has a 302 with a C4 transmission. PO did not have a NSS at all, and car will start in any gear, not good at all. It's been a while since I have installed one. Right now there is no wiring for a NSS. Am I correct that it mounts on shifter on tranny and one wire of the NSS goes to ignition and the other wire coming out other side of NSS goes to the Selenoid. Also, on a C4 does it matter what year built or do I need to buy according to date on tranny?
Paul, that sounds like a good way to test if it's working. Will try to remember that.

correct on wiring. A C-4 should have a NNS mounted behind the tranny shift arm, sort of a crescent shaped switch. If I remember correctly two wires for NS and two for back-up. should be able to sort with a multimeter

Daves55Sedan · 04-12-2021, 07:07 PM

The dealer issued '57 Ford car owners manuals said "place gear select lever in neutral" to start cars equipped with Ford-O-Matic. They did it this way because they didn't want the owner to have to shift from park to reverse to neutral while the engine was running if they had designed it to start in park. There may have been a fear that shifting into reverse with engine running while auto-choke was engaged might cause premature wear or damage to reverse gear.

paul2748 · 05-17-2015, 07:53 PM

How can both be correct. One says 56, the other 57.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motorhead6

darrell 56 was last year for neutral start only.

Paul H 57 Fords were all neutral start only. If yours started in park,someone had replaced the switch with one from a 58 or newer car(or truck)

Both of these guys are correct as is your friend.

04-19-2016, 09:04 PM	#2
zuburg Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 349	Re: neutral safety switch Yes, that's another reason I'm making the change, much more room to work. The car originally was equipped with a manual transmission so I think the PO did some "custom" work to install the original switch. The wires are all taped up and there is not much slack to work with. I think I will cut the wires near the old switch and splice to the wires on the new switch and hope for the best. I'm guessing the original wires do not have any connectors like the new switch has, so they won't do me any good anyway.

04-20-2016, 08:51 PM	#4
zuburg Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 349	Re: neutral safety switch Well, I think I got it all done today. Man is it hard working with little short wires. I won't know for sure until I get it all back together and can try it. Or should I hook up the battery and test it at the solenoid?

04-21-2016, 07:42 PM	#5
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 4,290	Re: neutral safety switch If you want to test it to prove the unit is ok or adjusted correctly, just run a battery wire to one of the NSS wires, put it in gear and use a test light on the other wire. The test light should only light up in neutral (or park and neutral if it's been modified). __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

04-23-2016, 03:01 PM	#6
Oilslickwillie Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Mid-Missouri Posts: 147	Re: neutral safety switch Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Just finished installing new fuel tank and sender. Next job is installing a neutral safety switch. Car has a 302 with a C4 transmission. PO did not have a NSS at all, and car will start in any gear, not good at all. It's been a while since I have installed one. Right now there is no wiring for a NSS. Am I correct that it mounts on shifter on tranny and one wire of the NSS goes to ignition and the other wire coming out other side of NSS goes to the Selenoid. Also, on a C4 does it matter what year built or do I need to buy according to date on tranny? Paul, that sounds like a good way to test if it's working. Will try to remember that.

04-12-2021, 07:07 PM	#9
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: neutral safety switch The dealer issued '57 Ford car owners manuals said "place gear select lever in neutral" to start cars equipped with Ford-O-Matic. They did it this way because they didn't want the owner to have to shift from park to reverse to neutral while the engine was running if they had designed it to start in park. There may have been a fear that shifting into reverse with engine running while auto-choke was engaged might cause premature wear or damage to reverse gear.