Shifter Removal question

[Mark P.]

I am pulling my engine tomorrow from my 1960 and have removed everything mentioned in the 53-62 Corvette Servicing Guide engine removal process, except the 2 front support bolts.

The 1965 Muncie transmission is supported by wood blocks. The cross mount is removed.

I would like to remove the Hurst shifter to make it easier when I remove the engine. I have removed the knob, shift boot, all linkage and the 2 side bolts that attaches the shifter to the transmission.

It still won't drop down but moves around easily. How can I remove the shifter ?

I know some pefer to leave the shifter and linkage in place when they remove it but I wanted to eliminate possible interference with the frame.

[Dennis C.]

Re: Shifter Removal question

Mark, If possible, I would lose the shifter. You have a mix of parts I have not dealt with, but if you can leave the shifter behind, it will be a blessing. Factory 56/62 components make it easy to remove the shifter asy. Well, fairly easy. Get the driveshaft out of the way so you can get at the tailshaft shifter bolts. Best of luck, Dennis

[Mark P.]

Re: Shifter Removal question

Dennis,

The shifter will definately go. I have an original correct 4 sp shifter and a correct T-10 ready to go in along with my newly rebuilt 283. I'll post pictures as I progress.

I think when I get the engine tilted and drop the transmission the shifter will now clear. The linkage would have hit the X section of the frame so I am glad I removed it.

Everything went really well today except for the shifter. No broken bolts or busted knuckles. Removing the headers was pretty tedious. The stock manifolds are so much easier to access the bolts.

Do you like to install the engine and transmission together as a unit along with the shifter ?

Thanks,

Mark

[Dennis C.]

Re: Shifter Removal question

Dennis,

The shifter will definately go. I have an original correct 4 sp shifter and a correct T-10 ready to go in along with my newly rebuilt 283. I'll post pictures as I progress.

I think when I get the engine tilted and drop the transmission the shifter will now clear. The linkage would have hit the X section of the frame so I am glad I removed it.

Everything went really well today except for the shifter. No broken bolts or busted knuckles. Removing the headers was pretty tedious. The stock manifolds are so much easier to access the bolts.

Do you like to install the engine and transmission together as a unit along with the shifter ?

Thanks,

Mark

Mark, My choice, if I am working by myself, is to install the engine, bellhousing & tranmission as a combo - with an engine leveling device w/no shifter. If I have help, I'd probably add the shifter into the mix.
Trying to add the transmission in the car can be problamatic - is that a real word?
Best of luck... Dennis

[Mike M.]

Re: Shifter Removal question

Mark,
removing three bolts and three nuts will make your life much easier.
HaND and Good Luck

[Don H.]

Re: Shifter Removal question

I have removed the stock and Hurst shifters many times. Loosen the front engine mount to frame bolts and remove the transmission to rear support bolts. Then you can move the transmission far enough to the right (passenger side) to get one in or out. Don H.

[Christopher R.]

Re: Shifter Removal question

With the Hurst Competition Plus shifter, the shifter shaft can be unbolted from the shifter body. If you can remove the shaft, the shifter body and linkage can stay bolted to the transmission while the engine/transmission assembly is removed or inserted into the car. The shifter body (without the shaft) doesn't interfere.

If you wish to remove or replace the shifter body from the transmission while the transmission is still in the car, lower the rear of the transmission to give yourself access to the bolts. I believe there's 3 bolts that secure the shifter to the transmission. When you lower the rear of the transmission make sure you don't over stress the front bracket mounting bolts. Loosen them first. Also make sure that the fan doesn't hit the shroud, and that the distributor doesn't hit the firewall.

Don't forget the speedometer cable.

[James S.]

Re: Shifter Removal question

I am pulling my engine tomorrow from my 1960 and have removed everything mentioned in the 53-62 Corvette Servicing Guide engine removal process, except the 2 front support bolts.

The 1965 Muncie transmission is supported by wood blocks. The cross mount is removed.

I would like to remove the Hurst shifter to make it easier when I remove the engine. I have removed the knob, shift boot, all linkage and the 2 side bolts that attaches the shifter to the transmission.

It still won't drop down but moves around easily. How can I remove the shifter ?

I know some pefer to leave the shifter and linkage in place when they remove it but I wanted to eliminate possible interference with the frame.

Mark,

I removed mine by removing the shifter rod and ball; then placed a jack under the tranny and jacked it up just enough so as not to put any tension on the motor mounts or any other part; then removed the transmission bracket; then removed the clips from the linkage rods; then removed the shifter bolts from the tranny, and the unit dropped down nicely.

Jim