Bolt question

Goldmember · Oct 15, 2007

Did a trans fluid service this weekend... refilled through the shifter. What concerned me was 2 of the shifter bolts came off without the slightest resistance. Figured they were just loose. And whoever put the Power Tower on did not silicone it to the housing on the trans.

Turns out the bolts are probably stripped, you can't torque them all the way down- they get tight, then loosen up. I don't believe the housing is to blame, I changed the locations of at least two of the bolts and they came out OK.

What size are the bolts holding the sifter down to the trans and where can I buy them?

Also the bolts holding the lower shift boot to the floorboard- my car is missing two of them- what size are they?

reivaxtorres · Oct 16, 2007

i have no idea. but go to Ford Parts Counter at www.modularmisfits.com/forums and start a thread and ask Randy, he will know.

Paul · Oct 16, 2007

Shifter bolts = 1/2" x 20
Shift boot bolts = 8mm x 1.00

Paul.

Goldmember · Oct 17, 2007

Cool, thanks Paul! Hopefully Car Quest has the bolts tonight... want to get this fixed ASAP I don't like that only two bolts are firmly holding the shifter to the trans!

Paul · Oct 17, 2007

No problem dude. You should be able to get those bolts at any hardware store or Home Depot/Lowes probably too.

Oh, and I didn't measure the length - so bring one of each with you to compare. The thread pitch should be right though; I checked it with my thread pitch gauge.

Goldmember · Oct 17, 2007

Cool, standard hardware bolts will be ok for this job? Didn't know if I needed something heavy-duty or if just standard bolts would work.

Paul · Oct 17, 2007

Nope, those bolts aren't under any real load, so you'll be fine with just plain jane ones.

Goldmember · Oct 17, 2007

Well it turns out I was wrong on one of the bolts- the housing itself is stripped. I just ordered one of Cobrabob's shifter gaskets- check him out in the vendor forums- so when I reinstall the shifter I'll use a little Ultra Grey on the bolt threads to help hold it in there. The others are OK.

I picked up new bolts for the boot but the ends on the Ford bolts are tapered so that they'll fit in the retainer clips. So I think I'm gonna need new bolts for that from Ford.

It was getting dark though, and all I had to work with was my dome light- I'll fight it again tomorrow and see if I can get the new bolts to work.

Damn...