Hurst Shifter Reverse Problem
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Harrison Ohio
Hurst Shifter Reverse Problem
I have a 62 Corvette, 4 speed MUNCIE, and a new Hurst Competition Plus shifter. Linkage was set up on the bench, and has been inspected several times to ensure every thing was correctly assembled. The problem is that it is extremely hard to get into reverse. Sent car to a very good shop. Removed trans again, installed hydraulic clutch kit. Reassembled Hurst linkage. Still very hard to shift into reverse. It doesn't want to pull over to the left. Has anyone out there encountered this problem? I'm stumped. Help!!! Phil62
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,339
Likes: 2,716
From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
Was it properly lubed? A new shifter can be a little tight. Are you putting it into 1st, then attempting reverse. Are the rods aligned correctly? It's possible to flip a rod, not sure which one thou. 
Dennis
Dennis
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Harrison Ohio
Hi Dennis, Yes to all of the above. It's just unnaturally tight and hard to engage reverse. Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,340
Likes: 664
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Is it hard to put into reverse with the engine off as well? If so, then I don't think the shifter is adjusted correctly (notch aligned in true neutral and rod length adjusted correctly).
As Dennis stated, are the rods installed correctly and not binding (not allowing the shifter to come back into true neutral)? If you have a lot of slop in the rod pins / bushings, that could prevent it to return to neutral, and new bushing may be the solution(I always use the metal versions, rather than the "quiet" plastic type).
Or there is someting truely "wrong" with the shifter.
Note that I have a Hurst that requires the shifter to be pressed down, in order to shift into reverse, but that is not the Hurst Competition Plus (mine is Hurst Super Shifter, which I don't think is availabe any more - although Hurst does offer the Super Street shifter for the C1 Vettes).
Plasticman
As Dennis stated, are the rods installed correctly and not binding (not allowing the shifter to come back into true neutral)? If you have a lot of slop in the rod pins / bushings, that could prevent it to return to neutral, and new bushing may be the solution(I always use the metal versions, rather than the "quiet" plastic type).
Or there is someting truely "wrong" with the shifter.
Note that I have a Hurst that requires the shifter to be pressed down, in order to shift into reverse, but that is not the Hurst Competition Plus (mine is Hurst Super Shifter, which I don't think is availabe any more - although Hurst does offer the Super Street shifter for the C1 Vettes).
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; Sep 14, 2016 at 04:54 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,655
Likes: 3,665
From: Central Arkansas
I have two Hurst Competition Plus shifters on different cars and both take a good deal of effort to pull over into the reverse gate. I think that's intentional by design. The resistance is probably from a spring that you might be able to clip a little to lighten it - been awhile since having one apart.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,000
Likes: 659
From: Puget Sound
I have two Hurst Competition Plus shifters on different cars and both take a good deal of effort to pull over into the reverse gate. I think that's intentional by design. The resistance is probably from a spring that you might be able to clip a little to lighten it - been awhile since having one apart.
I have two of them as well and I have to basically hit/slap the handle in order to get it into the the reverse gate. The spring is VERY strong by design. Also, Hurst shifters in Corvettes have very short handles (8"-10") compared to many other cars so you don't have the leverage to overcome that spring.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 31,036
Likes: 461
From: Wilmington N C
St. Jude Donor '14 thru '26
I have two of them as well and I have to basically hit/slap the handle in order to get it into the the reverse gate. The spring is VERY strong by design. Also, Hurst shifters in Corvettes have very short handles (8"-10") compared to many other cars so you don't have the leverage to overcome that spring. this is my experience as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,098
Likes: 1,351
From: New York New York
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I agree with DansYellow66 and 1snake. I have one in my 61 and when other people drive it they all tell me they can not get it into reverse.
You really have to force it into the reverse gate.
Joe
You really have to force it into the reverse gate.
Joe
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
My experience as well. The short-stick Hurst in my '61 takes a bunch of effort to overcome the spring for reverse. In my '65 GTO, which has the same shifter it's a piece of cake, because the stick is almost twice as long. Not a lot of leverage with the short stick.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 484
From: Florida
Make-shift test
To test the leverage issue you could make an extension for the shifter with a coupling nut and some all-thread. Add your shift **** and see if it works better with an added 2-3-4 inches. Make sure it doesn't interfere with the steering wheel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,104
Likes: 701
From: Southern Illinois
Mine is the same as others have described too...I have to get pretty rough with it to get it into reverse. I thought it was just mine being sticky, but now it sounds like the norm too.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,901
Likes: 751
From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
Bill
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 168
From: Wi
You said you have a muncie. Maybe I am missing something, but on the Hurst website, there is no comp plus shifter or kit for 57-62 with a muncie, but only with a borg warner T-10.
They do have the super street though, which will fit the muncie.
They do have the super street though, which will fit the muncie.
Last edited by skids; Sep 15, 2016 at 06:13 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,901
Likes: 751
From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 447
From: NJ Hockey beer league
Hurst has no reverse lock out like the stock shifter does. Can you imagine if reverse was too easy and you were stopped at a light behind the guy who thinks he is in first gear when he is really in reverse 
As others have said spring resistance is a built in feature, but friction is another thing. It certainly won't hurt to re check the shifter rod alignment. Sometimes 1 turn of the reverse rod can make a huge difference. I went through this with mine and that solved it.
As others have said spring resistance is a built in feature, but friction is another thing. It certainly won't hurt to re check the shifter rod alignment. Sometimes 1 turn of the reverse rod can make a huge difference. I went through this with mine and that solved it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,892
Likes: 168
From: Middletown Ohio
2016 C1 of Year Finalist
My 57 Gasser has a T10 with a Hurst Competition Plus shifter.
Have a few inches between the shift ball and the roll bar and to get it into reverse a quick slap is required.
See picture:
Have a few inches between the shift ball and the roll bar and to get it into reverse a quick slap is required.
See picture: