1969 Coupe - Hurst Shifter Issues

[jmiller]

Okay, so I've got a four speed Hurst toploader in her right now. It's my first of such and I honestly LOVE it. I'm hoping that it's just way out of adjustment. There are times that it will get stuck in gear, typically when shifting from reverse to 1st. I've gotten it stuck in 2nd gear though, too. It's usually just a matter of me reaching through the hole in the floor and pulling the shift rod out of the gear it's stuck in. But it's getting progressively worse. I had a shift boot on it but had to take it off because of the way that the shifter sits (which is why I am inclining to think that maybe it just needs adjusting) in 2nd and 4th, the boot almost pushes it back out of gear.

I ended up under her this weekend on the side of the road pushing on the darn linkage to get it out of reverse. Fun. My father in law was also thinking that the "finger" on the shifter might be very worn as well. I know that we wont figure anything out till we get it apart and lordy I am not looking forward to that. If I am very deliberate and make it a point to slowly, gently and definitely pull it out reverse it doesn't get caught up. Same if it gets stuck in another gear.

It's also kind of a trick to get it in reverse. and one really has to push hard to the left and up to grab that gear initially. My fear is that it's gonna get stuck in reverse here permantently if I don't get to the bottom of this. It's certainly not getting better with time. So, that's my dilemma.

 

[ponyboy289]

Hi,
I am a big fan of the stock shifters and linkages.That said they do leave alot to be desired or at least that's the general consensus.Which explains why most Early Mustangs and Fords are running Hurst setups. Ok, The first thing I would do is try to determine what you have? Obviously we know you have a Hurst Handle .What you need to figure out is the rest of the shifter Hurst or stock? Sounds crazy but there were shift handles made by Hurst that could bolt onto a stock setup.For the Record Hurst shifters were not stock in Mustangs except for some Boss Applications(Rare).

Next: Regardless of which shifter you have. I would take a good look at the tabs that are on your trans,See if the holes that the shift rods go into are round or ovaled out (Worn)? Also make sure they are tight on the trans.

Next: This depends on what your linkage looks like (stock,etc.) ?You will need to adjust your shifter,It sounds like this is your problem. When we figure out what you have? We'll figure out how to adjust it,some shifters have threaded rod portions,others have slots that a nut and bolt lock into,etc. If you are unsure as to what you have? You can snap a picture or pictures and post them, or email them to me.

While you are under the car,I would check the trans fluid,to make sure it is full.There should be two plugs,One at the bottom and one about three quarters of the way up on the side,take the upper one out,Fluid should start to flow out of the hole.If it doesn't you are low,Fill it until it starts to come out of the hole.Sometimes these are a little hard to fill,Tough to get to. If you really want to you can remove the lower plug and drain/refill the trans? I've seen a ton of trannies that were in good shape but were run low on fluid.

I have both types of shifters (stock and Hurst)on cars right now,so I'm pretty(very) well versed with them.

 

[jmiller]

Hi,
What you need to figure out is the rest of the shifter Hurst or stock?

See if the holes that the shift rods go into are round or ovaled out (Worn)?

We'll figure out how to adjust it,some shifters have threaded rod portions,others have slots that a nut and bolt lock into,etc.

While you are under the car,I would check the trans fluid,to make sure it is full.

I'm pretty sure this a Hurst. The guy I bought her from sent us home with the original 3 speed and that is sitting in a crate in my woodshed. Well, was, my husband seems to have dragged most everything out of the crate.
From the times I've been under the car, I would definitely say that the holes on the shift rods are worn but I haven't really examined any of it in detail. This is a good place to start. Thank you so much for the tips. I might get a chance to take some pics later tonight, after I get out of the hay field, to share with you and make sure we're correct in our assumptions.

 

[jmiller]

pics of the shifter. finally took a look today. don't think it's the adjustment. the shifter itself is worn right out. it pulls away from where it pivots too easy and seems like it catches. just a mess... :nono:

 

[ponyboy289]

Hello,
Sorry I didn't respond for a while. Well it sounds like you may have several issues? If you feel your shifter is worn,You may want to try and get a Hurst number off of the side of it.If you have that info you can try to call them up and find out if there is a way,or a bushing kit of some sort that you can get to tighten it up? While you are on with them you can also ask the best way to adjust your particular shifter?They have pretty good tech support ,I've spoken to them a couple of times. If you get the looseness in the actual shifter figured out,I can talk you through the actual adjusting since I see what your linkage looks like. How do the tabs on your transmission look? Are they tight are the holes where the rods go in worn at all?