Hello All - This is actually my first post here. I need to drop one in the welcome side, but wanted to drop this here too. I just picked up a 71' Maverick, 6 cyl 170ci, 3-spd. Its pretty original and very stock. I will add some pics real soon. The car sat for a number of years and shifting is quite stiff. I had been spraying WD on the steering column out of the firewall. I was wondering if anyone had some good idea to try to get it loosen up more. It can be quite a pain getting her into first.
...:Handshake could it be inside the transmission that is stiff? disconnect the linkage from the transmission and then see where you're at.
Could also be the collar where the shift handle goes into. I wouldn't use WD either. It gets very sticky after awhile. I use spray silicone on stuff like that and it penetrates and lets things slide. CRC makes the one I use, but there are other good brands. By the way, put a rag at the base of the steering column to catch what will drip out, and spray silicone right where the shift handle goes into the column. The collar will get tight after years too.
