First thing to do is get a Factory Service Manual. John,
@Big_John knows of a site to download them,I can't recall what it is of the top of my head.
I did a little research, and found out that the '65 's still used the cable system like the push button set from prior years.
Here is a snippet from the Imperial club website (
Repairing Shifting Problems On Your Imperial's Transmission )
"The 1965 models went to the Column shift BUT retained the CABLE shift Transmission of the PUSHBUTTON era. In 1966, they went to all linkage. In order for you to be able to start and move your Imperial, locate where the cable broke and see if you can get a
pair of vise grips or locking pliers on the innermost strand(s) of wire; I am hoping that you have at least an inch to play with. IF you do then move the cable all the way in and see if you can jazz the starter(keep your footon the brake for safety sakes!!!)IF not ,try pulling it out a little at a time, you may feel a click as it goes into each gear, when you hit neutral you can start it. THEN you can pull it out a little more until it goes into drive. At least you could then drive it to either your repairman or to your home( you did not say where you got stuck). BUT under no circumstances , DO NOT DRIVE it this way permanently. You will need to reolace the cable.!!!
From Bill:
The 1965 Torqueflite did, indeed, retain the cable controls of the pushbutton era, but there are TWO cables on the transmission - one for park and one for all the other gears.
The one for R-N-D-2-1 is part number 2534 410 and is 44.96" long. Console shift A-727 models also used a 44.96" cable, but it is part number 2461 928. The park cable for an Imperial is number 2533 725. Both Imperial numbers were used only by Imperial and only in 1965.
These cables attach to the steering column at the base. They are attached to a plate that is attached to the steering column gearshift tube. It is this tube that the gearshift lever moves to activate the cables attached at the base. The cables themselves do not run up into the column.
There is, however, a cable the connects to the gear indicator (2660 119). This cable is attached to the gearshift lever at one end and the indicator at the other."
Perhaps your cable simply needs to be pulled and lubricated then adjusted.
