1969 M21 Shifter Conversion
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
1969 M21 Shifter Conversion
The stock shifter is a major POS!
So I am putting in one of my Hurst Competition Plus shifters.
My problem is which handle to buy.
Corvette Central sells one like this:
Everyone else sells one like this, and I mean everyone:
The design difference is very obvious and since the angle of the shift handle on the Hurst is much different; not to mention it sits overall about 1.5" closer to the engine, what is the final mount difference between the two? There has to be a difference in the final interior position; has anyone ever used either or both and can tell which is the best to use?
So I am putting in one of my Hurst Competition Plus shifters.
My problem is which handle to buy.
Corvette Central sells one like this:
Everyone else sells one like this, and I mean everyone:
The design difference is very obvious and since the angle of the shift handle on the Hurst is much different; not to mention it sits overall about 1.5" closer to the engine, what is the final mount difference between the two? There has to be a difference in the final interior position; has anyone ever used either or both and can tell which is the best to use?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
Negative, they are both marketed as C3 68-76.
Example:
http://www.volvette.com/SH006B.html
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....sort~1~cadefib
Example:
http://www.volvette.com/SH006B.html
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....sort~1~cadefib
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
Oh for pete sake the Corvette Central url doesn't go straight to it.
Part # 533012
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....~Z5Z5Z50000050
Part # 533012
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....~Z5Z5Z50000050
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
I have the 'non-Corvette Central' style lever in my 69 and it works just fine. I did fabricate a little 'filler' piece between the handle and the shifter because I didn't care for how the width (front to back) of the lever's mounting tab was narrower than the slot in the shifter-
Just seemed that it would eventually move from banging gears, no matter how tight you bolt it on so now it can't.
The only thing I noticed is that reverse is closer to the left side of the console opening than the original shifter but this is no issue with clearance or operation.
One of the best upgrades I've done!
Elm
Just seemed that it would eventually move from banging gears, no matter how tight you bolt it on so now it can't.
The only thing I noticed is that reverse is closer to the left side of the console opening than the original shifter but this is no issue with clearance or operation.
One of the best upgrades I've done!
Elm
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
Elm
Your description is exactly what I was looking for; it would appear that Corvette Centrals design would better center the stick from what you have said.
Thank you sir!
There is a stiffiner plate that Hurst sells for the handle, did you consider that?
Your description is exactly what I was looking for; it would appear that Corvette Centrals design would better center the stick from what you have said.
Thank you sir!
There is a stiffiner plate that Hurst sells for the handle, did you consider that?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
If you compare the the two pictures here
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette?frame=1.1178
it appears that there's a difference in offset at the weld between the C2 and C3 versions. I bought a conversion handle 20ish years ago (forget which vendor) and it did not fit as-is. The garage I was dealing with at the time took one look and said- 'that's for a C2, that's why.' They then bent it or unbent it (again, I forget which) to make it work.
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette?frame=1.1178
it appears that there's a difference in offset at the weld between the C2 and C3 versions. I bought a conversion handle 20ish years ago (forget which vendor) and it did not fit as-is. The garage I was dealing with at the time took one look and said- 'that's for a C2, that's why.' They then bent it or unbent it (again, I forget which) to make it work.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
Yes sir.
http://www.hurst-shifters.com/?wpsc-...late-stiffener
I had already ordered my small parts when I found out about this, so this will be on order tomorrow.
It goes on the outside of where the handle bolts; and apparently in the grooves to where it bolts, I check and the one I am putting in has the grooves for this item.
http://www.hurst-shifters.com/?wpsc-...late-stiffener
I had already ordered my small parts when I found out about this, so this will be on order tomorrow.
It goes on the outside of where the handle bolts; and apparently in the grooves to where it bolts, I check and the one I am putting in has the grooves for this item.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
Mike
Even the Hurst exact shifter for the 68-76 has a similar bend as the Corvette Central piece, and if you listen to how Elm's none bent one turned out and invision how it is installed you should be able to see why this bend is important and not a C2 bend.
It appears the none bent piece was either a production shortcut or forgotten detail; this happens all the time in the parts business, I know because I work in it
http://www.hurst-shifters.com/?wpsc-...arly-gm-muncie
http://www.hurst-shifters.com/wp-con...ickDiagram.pdf
Even the Hurst exact shifter for the 68-76 has a similar bend as the Corvette Central piece, and if you listen to how Elm's none bent one turned out and invision how it is installed you should be able to see why this bend is important and not a C2 bend.
It appears the none bent piece was either a production shortcut or forgotten detail; this happens all the time in the parts business, I know because I work in it
http://www.hurst-shifters.com/?wpsc-...arly-gm-muncie
http://www.hurst-shifters.com/wp-con...ickDiagram.pdf
Last edited by steved400; Sep 13, 2012 at 09:02 PM.
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From: Sawyer MI
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
I have a question the Hurst; the top bolt is VERY close to the tranny tunnel and most difficult to wrench, has anyone ever dealt with this and what did you do?
I am considering drilling a hole in the tunnel to get a socket on it; but of course I hate to do that to an original and good floor pan.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: C3 Forum, Colorado
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 13
From: C3 Forum, Colorado
Small hijack
Elm, would you mind posting a photo of your shifter installed in the car? I've been seriously considering buying one of these for my Hurst too and would like to see how it looks and how high it sticks up out of the console.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
Worked on it at lunch, what a monster! The boot retaining plate is right in the way of getting a wrench on the top bolt.
I looked at dropping the tranny more and I think it will be more trouble than fighting the bolt as is, the exhaust are the main issue with the sagging.
I looked at dropping the tranny more and I think it will be more trouble than fighting the bolt as is, the exhaust are the main issue with the sagging.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 13
From: C3 Forum, Colorado
Are you running solid engine mounts? If so, you would probably have to pull the bolts out of those too to allow the transmission to come down.
I know, that's a whole lot of work just to remove one bolt on the shifter but I think it's better than option B.
On my rubber mounted engine with the transmission mount removed it will come down quite a bit even with the exhaust connected.
I don't know if it makes a difference but I'm running manifolds and not headers.
I know, that's a whole lot of work just to remove one bolt on the shifter but I think it's better than option B.
On my rubber mounted engine with the transmission mount removed it will come down quite a bit even with the exhaust connected.
I don't know if it makes a difference but I'm running manifolds and not headers.
Last edited by qtlow; Sep 26, 2012 at 02:04 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
I putting the new shifter in; but if I was racing a good bit I think it would be a must to have an access hole as oppossed to all this fighting the bolt. Headers and special mounts yes add to the issue. I'm about done anyway, will finish up tonight. If I ever take the carpet out I will probably make some small holes for a socket and plug them up; it's just too much work otherwise, and speed might be a factor at some point.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
I'll try to get something up tonight or tomorrow morning.
Elm