Hi Escort brains,
 
I have just taken delivery of a Mk1 Escort With an auto box and the gear selector is really loose.  It still selects gear etc.  It‘s a 1300 XL and I am scared it will break miles from help.  Any idea how I can fix this problem, i have read it might be a worn out bush maybe?  Is that easy to obtain And replace?  
Thanks heaps
 
steve

Nice clean looking 'scort you have there !
If you check underneath at all points of pivots (articulation) and all clips and rods and fittings look intact and not ready to fall apart, you have very little to worry about, as this looseness is to be expected after 40-50 years!
Since you cant go very far "for fun" with this COVID19, this may be the perfect time to fix it.
If all the pivots and their shafts/holes under car from Tranny to Shifter are not unduly worn, then start by overhauling
 your in-cabin Floorshift/Selector Quadrant Bushes.

Hi Beevee,
 
Thanks for the reply and possible solution.  My biggest issue is that it might not pass the Vic roadworthy test As it is.  You are correct re not going far right now but it’s the perfect time to get any small stuff sorted.

It is the shaft loose in the housing?  I seem to recall having this problem once, from memory its not made to come apart you will have to grind off the outside flat part to remove the central shaft.  This should allow you see how best to fix it.  Other solution is get another shifter, Escort Capri Cortina are all the same-if they use the BW35 trans (later cortinas and escorts used a C3 trans.  The UK fords had the selector on the left where falcons etc that had the same shifter had the selector on the right 

Yep, loose in the housing.  It still selects drive etc but I would prefer it tight.  I am going to put it in for a pre roadworthy and see what needs fixing. Thanks for the advice, might need to locate a replacement.  Other option is to fit a manual box but would rather get a roadworthy b4 doing any changes.