Reverse lockout linkage (Backdrive linkage)

[tigs69]

Could someone please explain what the Reverse lockout linkage (Backdrive linkage) does. I have a 69 RS with a saginaw 4speed, 327ci  we are putting back together after 16 years in the garage and can't find the lower rod. The steering colume locks fine. Is it some kind of safety feature or  Thanks for any info.

[william]

It was a federal mandate to help discourage auto theft. The car had to be Park [auto] or reverse [manual] in order to remove the key from the ignition.

The parts were fairly specific-Muncie stuff will not work on a Saginaw. In fact a Muncie SB used a different lower lock rod than a BB.

If you can't find the correct lower rod [3955767, same as used on a standard 3-speed floor shift] it should be fairly easy to fab one out of mild steel rod.

[tigs69]

Thanks for the response William. But I quit don't understand, I do not have that lower rod installed and my key comes out fine in any gear so I am way confused! 

[william]

The lower collar on the column is rotated to the lock position. Rotate it clockwise with the key in the run position. Ignition switch will not go to the lock position and the key will not come out.

The lock out linkage usually got in the way of headers and was trashed. The collar was left in the lock position and the bulbs were taken out of the reverse lamps.

[tigs69]

Thank you William, I understand now  . Happy motoring.

[ko-lek-tor]

Reviving an old thread as I found some real good information that I know it is in the AIM, but this is a bit more concise and shows some good information, so I thought I should share:        Hope this helps. Sorry, this is borrowed from another site and not intending to not give credit to original researcher, Ian Johnson. http://www.worldwidecamaroclub.com/pdf/tech/reverselockouts.pdf

[69Z28]

Man, reading this just reminded me of all the times the base MP's used to stop me for white lights to the rear when I had my first Z.

[z28z11]

Mine did the same thing. Local cops used to hassle me about it, so I looped a piece of wire over the column to hold the lever in the right position. Thought it looked cool anyway -

[69Z28]

After the 3rd or 4th time getting stopped I installed a toggle switch under the dash and when the tailgaters were loose at night I would just flip the lights off and on to get them to back off.

[z28z11]

After the 3rd or 4th time getting stopped I installed a toggle switch under the dash and when the tailgaters were loose at night I would just flip the lights off and on to get them to back off.

Lot of guys did that - I never got around to doing it myself, but instead opted to find the parts to replace the backdrive linkage. Now if I can only find time to assemble the car around it -