Shifty help
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,746
Likes: 20
From: Boston North MA
Shifty help
The shifting of my 77 L82 4 spd is a bit clunky. I hunt for first gear and sometimes it doesn't engage and I get a nice grind instead of motion. A mechanic I trust (weird eh?) told me it is probably the shift mechanism and not the tranny.
If I'm headed down this path then a complete shifter with all the bushings and rods is pretty short money, about $270 complete.
Questions:
1. Anyone had experience where the shifter and linkages fixed problems vs a tranny rebuild?
2. I don't care about originality and such, and I am considering the Hurst option. Its about the same $$ and seems to be well received. Any advice yay or nay?
3. Is replacing and adjusting the shifter a driveway weekend job for an ok mechanic or more complicated than it looks?
Thanks for the help
Tony
If I'm headed down this path then a complete shifter with all the bushings and rods is pretty short money, about $270 complete.
Questions:
1. Anyone had experience where the shifter and linkages fixed problems vs a tranny rebuild?
2. I don't care about originality and such, and I am considering the Hurst option. Its about the same $$ and seems to be well received. Any advice yay or nay?
3. Is replacing and adjusting the shifter a driveway weekend job for an ok mechanic or more complicated than it looks?
Thanks for the help
Tony
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
Tony,
The stock shifters mount to the crossmember and the Hurst comp+ mounts to the tranyy tailshaft housing. You can replace them,but from under the car. You'll have to get the exhaust out of the way and you should be able to work in the tunnel. It's a tight fit but it can be done.
The Hurst has shorter throws then the stock shifter and is generally a better unit. Like anything these day check it good if you buy new, I had to return 3 new shifters last year until I got one that was correct.
You can adjust the them so that's what I would do first. see if the linkage has the levers going completely into gear. If you get the linkage set and still have a problem you might need syncros and sliders in the tranny.
Gary
The stock shifters mount to the crossmember and the Hurst comp+ mounts to the tranyy tailshaft housing. You can replace them,but from under the car. You'll have to get the exhaust out of the way and you should be able to work in the tunnel. It's a tight fit but it can be done.
The Hurst has shorter throws then the stock shifter and is generally a better unit. Like anything these day check it good if you buy new, I had to return 3 new shifters last year until I got one that was correct.
You can adjust the them so that's what I would do first. see if the linkage has the levers going completely into gear. If you get the linkage set and still have a problem you might need syncros and sliders in the tranny.
Gary
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Oakton VA
I just removed a Hurst Comp plus from my 72 LT1. I'm going the originality route when I replace it. I'm figuring on buying a new shifter and linkage. If you decide to get rid of your original shifter, I'd be interested in buying the mounting bracket. Maybe there are some parts we can swap or sell?
Dick
Oakton, VA
Dick
Oakton, VA
