Thread: Setting safety lockout switch on Lokar shifter

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I thought it would probably be a great idea to set the safety lockout switch on my Lokar shifter/turbo 350 before I put the body back on later this week.----It was a great thought but.....I followed the instructions that came with it---loosen the banana bolt bracket, install the aluminum set-up part where the switch normally fits, centered in the slot cast into the shifter mechanism---tighten the banana bracket bolts---remove the aluminum set-up part, then reinstall the lockout switch. Works great---I got continuity in park, open switch in reverse---continuity in neutral BUT THEN I HAVE CONTINUITY THRU THE SWITCH WHEN IN DRIVE. I have tweaked this damn thing every which way but loose, and I cant get it to give me an open circuit in drive. It does give an open circuit in the 2 lower drive positions, but in the drive position closest to the neutral position, I can't get an open circuit. Has anyone else encountered this problem with Lokar shifters, and if so, how did you fix it. I certainly don't want this thing to start accidently in drive.

I just recently finished a project for soeone that "rigged" their Lokar shifter. they thought it was for a back up light. It will be difficult to do without the body being on the car unless you measure very carefully the distance to the dash to make sure it is not too close.
First, adjust the shifting linkage to where your best judgement of where it should be as far as the angle of the shifter. You don't want it to be too close to the dash. You will see the bolts on the lower side of the shifter that have elongated slots. you can loosen these bolts and tilt the whole mechanism forward or backward as necessary to find the corredt position. It may be necessary to readjust the shifting linkage to get it in the right position. Take care not to cut the adjustment rod too short unitl you make sure of where it needs to be. I used a multimeter hooked to the switch to let me know when it was right.
I hope this helped rather than confuse you.
Ed

Ed---Thank you for your good intentions, however the Lokar shifter was installed and adjusted for position during the "build" process, when the body was on the car , and the seats and steering column installed. Right now the body is out being painted. I have no problem with the shifter position---it is only the adjustment of the safety lockout switch that is giving me a problem.

Finally got it---My God what a pure and total pig of a thing to adjust. I ended up with a .024 shim washer in addition to the washer supplied by Lokar, and had to get out the rat tail file and elongate the slotted holes in the banana bracket by about 1/32" to get just a tad more adjustment. I can't even imagine trying to do this with the body in place. It works good now---very definite open circuit/closed circuit depending on which gear is selected. This has only taken me about 5 hours of frigging. I'm glad that my labour rates come fairly cheap when I'm working on my own car.

Glad to hear that you got it fixed. Would have been a shame to mess up what is going to be one FINE looking ride. I am very envious and jealous in the same breath. I believe I'd contact Lokar and explain the problem that you had. Must be others having the same difficulty with their products.