The stock Muncie shifter in my 67 BB coupe seems a little "mushy" when shifting, sort of like that proverbial "boomstick in a bucket of oatmeal". I am assuming (hate to do that) that this is due in part to the shifter being mounted on a bracket that mounts to the frame rather than the shifter bolting directly to the transmission as was the case in earlier years. Does anyone know if I can remove the frame bracket and bolt the shifter directly to the transmission? Thanks in advance for your help. Rex NCRS #8089
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Re: 67 4 speed shifter
I have no direct experience with tranny-mounted shifters, but that won't stop me from commenting on what I've heard through the years. As I understand it, the reason that the mount was moved from the tranny to the frame was to reduce vibration, buzzing, and noise in the shifter handle. Isolating the shifter by mounting it to the crossmember was a big help in that area. I think you'd be trading one set of problems for another with this change.
How many miles on the shifter assembly? Has it been rebuilt? I just rebuilt the shifter on my '69 and it made a HUGE difference in removing the slop and play. It's amazing how the minor amounts of wear in each individual location just add up into large amounts of slop when summed together.
Shannon -
Re: 67 4 speed shifter
Rex,
------You would need to buy the shifter plate and the countersunk screws,but should need nothing other than that,if you want to go that way.Oh!and some time to align the nuetral gate.
------Before you deep-six the correct stuff go underneath and check all the mounting points of the linkage to the frame,though,as they are pretty good at loosening up.Any looseness will promote squishy shifting syndrome.Also,see if all the correct spring clips are everywhere they should be,and that there is no wear in any of the shift arm holes,or on the rod ends.A little,tiny wear any place can seem much bigger by the time your hand is on the shift ball.Hope this helps.........Bill SComment
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Re: 67 4 speed shifter
Installed a Hurst shifter last winter with original look handle. What a pleasure to drive and it is mounted on the tranny! MikeComment
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Re: 67 4 speed shifter
Rex-----
I absolutely don't recommend a transmission-mounted shifter; the frame bracket mounted shifter is the way to go. In fact, if I had a 64 to early 1966, the very first thing that I would do to it (other than remove the side exhaust if the car had it) would be to convert from the transmission-mounted shifter to the frame bracket mounted shifter.
In any event, moving the shifter from the frame bracket to the transmission will not solve a single one of your problems. You'll likely need to rebuild or replace the shifter assembly.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Bad idea...
The location of the shifter has no bearing on whether it is mushy. A refurbished shifter will work well no matter how it is mounted, and keeping your shift "as original" will help with repair/value down the road. Of course you could spend some cash on one of the Hurst types with stock handle on it, but for that kind of money you could have a "like new" rebuild on your original. Less, probably.Comment
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Re: 67 4 speed shifter
Joe,
-----As I know your depth of knowledge,I would not normally disagree,but,there it is;I do disagree.In my opinion,when the shifter is mounted to the frame there is too much of a chance for shifter rod missalignment when the engine torques over under acceleration.Also mounting bolts can loosen.Shifts become slightly less precise.The only reason the shifter was ever moved to the frame was vibration and rattle,and that can be cured.I would gladly trade off a little rattle for the added precision of the trans mount.
-----A well set up 64 to 67 factory shifter is a joy to move from gear to gear.As nice as a hurst shifter can be,its usually not needed.You usually will find some worn parts or missalignment in factory shifters,and people think the shifter is junk.A quick rebuild or in severe cases replacement will give back that great shifting the car had when new.........Bill SComment
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Re: Bad idea...
I rebuilt the original factory shifter on my '67 last year, and it's every bit as precise now as any Hurst I've ever had; don't knock the factory shifter - they just need a little maintenance (which they never get) after 35 years.Comment
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Re: Bad idea...
John, can you recommend the rebuild kit you used?
I also need to freshen my shifter up this winter.
Thanks,
RichComment
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Re: Bad idea...
As I remember, I got a kit from CC (didn't need the T-handle, just the bushing/spring kit).Comment
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