Fordomatic parking pawl


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By TNieland - 3 Years Ago
My 55 slipped off the ramp and rolled backwards in park and now it rolls forward and backwards in park. I haven't started it since. I plan on just using the parking brake until for the foreseeable future.
Can this damage the transmission?
By 55blacktie - 3 Years Ago
You should post this on vintagethunderbirdclub.net. There are people who think that the Fordomatic parking pawl can't be damaged.
By Hoosier Hurricane - 3 Years Ago
The broken piece probably fell harmlessly into the pan.
By DryLakesRacer - 3 Years Ago
Is it the internal one you are talking about or the column? My problem was on the column. I removed the steering wheel and carefully un screwed the turn signal apparatus and laid it over and very carefully “squared” off the worn edge where the shifter sat. It took some time and very small files to make the repair. I now ALWAYS pull forward on the shifter when taking out of park or putting it in. 
My 56 still only starts in neutral because I still don’t trust it. I never ever park without using the e-brake. I NEVER run the engine in my garage while the shifter is in park EVER… always neutral with the e brake..

One additional item. I replaced the stock complete rear end with an 8.8 with drum brakes. I had it built in a shop but I installed it. I would not move it out of the garage until the e-brake worked properly. I believe they all were considered “parking” brakes prior to automatic transmissions. 
By 55blacktie - 3 Years Ago
Wise man!
By TNieland - 3 Years Ago
Definitely internal it worked fine until the ramp incident
By PF Arcand - 3 Years Ago
Ditto for what Dry Lakes Racer says: A few years ago, my '57 popped out of Park into Reverse when idling in our garage.  I was beside the car & tried to get to the shifter to stop it, but the there was limited room between the car & the Garage door frame.. A trip to Emergency for leg laseratiions resulted, along with some sideing damage to a neighbours house.. Now,  when the car is idling I use neutral, Handbrake full on (& adjusted) & wheel chocks..