Nuetral Safety Switch

[Stuart]

OK, I have a C4 in my 63 Mercury with a Hurst Indymatic floor shifter. I guess I need to gear up a nuetral safety switch if I plan to run at Greenfield next month , Jim let me run the car without one, but only for one weekend.
I don't have room for the stock Ford nuetral safety switch ( header issues) so I would like to gear one up on the shifter. Has anyone got any cheap or easy idea's? Its a rod linkage shifter. Maybe I could gear up a micro switch on the brake pedal so the car won't start unless you foot is on the brake? I just want something that will meet the track rules. I'm very good with wiring/electrical, I just need a good, already tested idea....LOL ;D

[Mitch Bonnar]

Being a rod linkage shifter there must be a rod that comes foreward or rearward more in park than any other gear. Make a simple bracket and mount a microswitch or any 2 wire switch that closes when activated to it so it is closing the switch only with the shifter in the park position.
You then wire this switch in series with the starter solonoid.
You will not get and do not need starter operation in neutral, only park but for racing thats all you need.
;D

[Stuart]

I was kinda thinking that already. I should be able to get something at radio shack or another electronic's shop to suit. Thanks.

[Chuck]

I set one up on my RX7, a 5 speed standard gearbox. Basically, on mine it would be called a clutch safety switch. As I set up a bracket on the clutch pedal assembly with a "Long Lever" type of Industrial Microswitch, when the clutch pedal is to the floor...the switch is in the closed position allowing the starter to be energized. If the clutch is not operated...the switch will remain "Open" and the starter will not work. One item on mine that I found interesting while doing this conversion....it is a 1981 Vehicle but it had the required connection for such an option already in place in the vehicle wiring harness !

[trublu72]

speeking as a junk yard dog, it would be fairly easy, and inexpensive to go to the closest junk yard and take the clutch safety switch out of a cavalier or something like that. there are so many of them around, it should be easy. Hope it helps!!