starting in Park?

[53 Old Nellie]

Finally got the ol' girl running today after 14 yrs. Music to our ears, but she only turns over in neutral. She will not turn over in park. Is this normal for the Fordamatic, or do I need to adjust the shifter linkage? Thanks. 53 Crestline Victoria

[Scott H in Wheaton]

I might be wrong, but its possible on the early cars they only start in neutral, and maybe later cars they redesigned it so it would do park and neutral?

[Gary in La.]

Fordamatic starts with the selector in NEUTRAL. Ford called it a safety feature.

[RalphG]

Yes, according to this 1953 Ford manual it has to be in neutral to start. A safety feature they claim.
http://oldcarmanualproject.com/manua...rs0005_jpg.htm

[Bob C]

This link to the owners manual shows how to start the car.
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/stati...0amp%2007.html

Bob

[53 Old Nellie]

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Thank You so much for your help. This is the first flathead I have ever worked on, and the oldest car. you guys have been a great help. Pam and I have, and will continue to enjoy this forum. Now onto the brakes. LOL

[Mart]

My 57 T-Bird is the same.

Mart.

[51 MERC-CT]

The neutral safety switch is designed to disconnect the starter button ground in all positions except neutral.
I have seen two incidents where the owners had disconnected the function of the switch and as a result hit the side of a building in one case and took down a corner of a fence in another. Not to mention the damage done to the vehicle.
As a side note the engine can be started in park by grounding the solenoid connection.
I have done this when working on the engine and needing to start it.

[Crestliner2]

hello there, is there a safe way of bypassing a failed switch on a 52 Fordamatic safely, so that the vehicle can be started in park as a normal function?

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by Crestliner2

hello there, is there a safe way of bypassing a failed switch on a 52 Fordamatic safely, so that the vehicle can be started in park as a normal function?

Starting in park is not a "normal function"
You could wire the starter switch/button to the solenoid and hope that when you start it, it's not in any gear.
Then count the number of days it takes before you forget to put it park/neutral and are observing the damage.
Search EBAY etc., new neutral safety switches come up from time to time.

[paul2748]

Although it is a completely different switch, the 55-57 TBird switches could be modified to start in park (now you can buy TBird switches that start in both park and neutral).

The kinds that was used in the sedans may be able to be modified. You would have to open it up and rework the contacts.

[JSeery]

I have to agree with a lot of the above comments. Seen it several times, bypass the NSS and think you will always remember to be sure it is in park or neutral. Then one day a mistake is made!

[donald1950]

nutral safety switch only allows in nutral. be carefill of adjustment as when i frrst bought mine (had it delivered on rollback and had to do some things to get it running) it was WAY out of adjustment and the switch was down far enough it actually started in drive.. quite startling with choke half way out and garage door advancing rapidly...... recommend to have E-brake on whenever starting.......

[RalphG]

Originally Posted by JSeery

I have to agree with a lot of the above comments. Seen it several times, bypass the NSS and think you will always remember to be sure it is in park or neutral. Then one day a mistake is made!

I've done that with mine. Not sure but I might have been leaning over the fender jumping the solenoid at the time. Lucky I had a big block in front of the wheel and the cold engine stalled easy.

[bk53]

i must have that t-bird mods as my f100 starts in park or neutral only. i took the truck once to the local t-bird fordomatic fellow. first thing he did was start it in park and he said good someone has already taken care of that.