Thankfully the fix was easier than you'd think.
While waiting for the next pump, I took off the shift
boot and noticed that the shifter had indeed broken,
about 1" out of the tranny. With the boot off the
shifter was offered up (!), and a pair of vise grips
clamped onto the remaining stub got me home.
I had the same problem twice with a '74 Capri V6 - actually, my
ex-wife broke it off both times. Seems there was a design problem
with the shift lever, and it was eventually replaced under recall.
Anyway, you can also substitute a screwdriver-handle 1/4" socket
drive, with a socket carefully chosen to fit over the stub end of the
shifter
- Ralph
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