Barn find - can’t get in Neutral

[blindranger]

I’m trying to extract a 1960 Plymouth Belvedere out of my parents barn.

It hasn’t moved in 20 plus years. My goal is to get it in neutral and push it out of the barn, then load it up on a trailer. Unfortunately I’ve only have today to do it.

I’ve put in a fresh battery, but nothing happens when I select natural on the push buttons.

I’ve gotten under the car, disconnected the transmission shift linkage cable, and the arm freely moves to the rear of the car but not forward.

Any advice on how to get transmission into neutral would be huge.

 

[Owen11x]

If your in a hurry just pull the driveshaft out. And load it up

 

[blindranger]

Omg, so obvious! Thank you!!!

 

[Jakter]

Maybe the parking brake is stuck or the brakes themselves.

 

[Owen11x]

Maybe the parking brake is stuck or the brakes themselves.

That wouldn't make the shift lever move one way but not the other.

 

[CBODY67]

That wouldn't make the shift lever move one way but not the other.

Agree, but the linings on the parking brake might have become stuck to the parking brake drum, so no matter if the transmission is in "N", nothing happens.

Removing the drive shaft is the path of least resistance, BUT also means a chuck will be needed to keep the tires from rolling when parked as the ONLY parking brake is on the transmission, which is no longer connected to the rear wheels.

Take care,
CBODY67

 

[blindranger]

Boom! We are loaded up!!!

 

[GOLDMYN]

we have to see more, plus a story.

 

[blindranger]

Short version: My folks bought this car back in the late ’90s or early 2000s. At some point, the reverse lockout switch started acting up, so they parked it, and it’s been sitting in the barn ever since.

The plan now is to trailer it from Oregon to Colorado, where I’ll use it as a hands-on teaching project with my kids to get it roadworthy again. Once it’s up and running, we’ll probably sell it and move on to the next forgotten classic stashed at my parents’ place that hasn’t seen the road in decades.

It's far from perfect, but all of the panels are straight, there is no rust, and it ran great when parked.

 

[Polara_500_Jr]

I love the style of that car. Should be a fun family project.

 

[1970FuryConv]

My vote: Keep the 60 Belvidere, ditch the Lincoln

 

[Lefty71]

Maybe the parking brake is stuck or the brakes themselves.

Im a little late to the party here, but for clarity, his issue HAD to be the stuck parking brake correct??? There is no parking pawl in that trans correct??

 

[Snotty]

Im a little late to the party here, but for clarity, his issue HAD to be the stuck parking brake correct??? There is no parking pawl in that trans correct??

You are right; not in 1960.

 

[traintech55]

Have a great time teaching your kids.

 

[GOLDMYN]

by the look of the hood, is there something under it we should see?

 

[blindranger]

by the look of the hood, is there something under it we should see?

The ‘74 Lincoln stored above it has a small leak from its gas tank, and at some point they put an absorbing pad on the hood of the Plymouth. Then proceeded to forget about it for the next decade

I think it will mostly come out, but still.

Here is what’s under the hood

 

[Snotty]

Whoa!! How much power does that starter store??

 

[blindranger]

Whoa!! How much power does that starter store??

All the POWER!!!

 

[carguy300]

Never thought about a spare starter!! Love that car!!

 

[Jakter]

If your in a hurry just pull the driveshaft out. And load it up

That wouldn't make the shift lever move one way but not the other.

I don't know what the problem is with the shift lever but I know for a fact a 1957 Dodge with a TorqueFlite transmission will roll with the engine off in any gear and the only thing stopping it is the parking brake or the brakes on the four wheels.

I'm not familiar with the 1960 Plymouth TorqueFlite to see if anything was changed.