shifter question!

[77chevyinline6]

i recently converted my 3 speed on the coulumn to a 3 speed in the floor using the hurst mastershift shifter and the installation kit. sometimes it works fine and sometimes in will only go in 1st and 3rd and sometimes it will only go in reverse and 2nd and sometimes it works fine, this truck makes me want to pull my hair out sometimes.

[geezer#99]

Did you align the shift arms using an 1/8 inch drill bit. THere's a hole in them just for that purpose.

[walkerb]

Originally Posted by 77chevyinline6

i recently converted my 3 speed on the coulumn to a 3 speed in the floor using the hurst mastershift shifter and the installation kit. sometimes it works fine and sometimes in will only go in 1st and 3rd and sometimes it will only go in reverse and 2nd and sometimes it works fine, this truck makes me want to pull my hair out sometimes.

Ive had the same issue. The po I brought my 74 from did the same conversion and I cant tell you how many times my buddy and myself have been under that truck messing with the linkages.

I dont know about the 1/8" drill bit trick. Maybe he'll explain

[geezer#99]

Here's a link. They use a 1/4 inch bit. Use whatever fits.
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/ho...0/viewall.html

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by walkerb

Ive had the same issue. The po I brought my 74 from did the same conversion and I cant tell you how many times my buddy and myself have been under that truck messing with the linkages.

What shifter you got Walker?

[walkerb]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

What shifter you got Walker?

I wish I could tell you. Ive never found any identifig marks. Any way to tell?

Here's a pic of when I bought the truck. You can see the shifter. If that helps at all

[walkerb]

Originally Posted by 77chevyinline6

i recently converted my 3 speed on the coulumn to a 3 speed in the floor using the hurst mastershift shifter and the installation kit. sometimes it works fine and sometimes in will only go in 1st and 3rd and sometimes it will only go in reverse and 2nd and sometimes it works fine, this truck makes me want to pull my hair out sometimes.

Are you still using the 3spd saginaw? or a 4speed?

[geezer#99]

Looks like spectre!!
But would need pic from underneath to confirm.

[walkerb]

What the F88k is a spectre??????????? Are they any good? Cause mine isnt!


I'll see if I can grab a pic of underneath tonight. Thanks for all the info. Its greatly appreicated geezer

[geezer#99]

Look up spectre in the dictionary! LOL!!
Spectre: cheapest, crappiest shifter ever made.
They are a cheap universal shifter but can be made to work with a couple tweaks.

[walkerb]

hahaha. I set myself up for that one. Ill get those pics and then hopefully you might be able to confirm.

I'll also try the enter "spectre" into this magic box im sitting infront of and see what happens! Thanks again

[SSC's76]

been there if you paid less then 300 for the shifter its a pos. i tried the mr gasket the first time then the cheap hurst slightly better. i found a factory hurst 3 speed shifter from a 69 camaro. i had to cut the stick off and used the aftermarket hust stick to work in the truck but its night and day from the other 2. id go junk yard hunting

[walkerb]

http://rochester.craigslist.org/pts/3642684095.html

[SSC's76]

the pic of the 3 speed shift in the ad looks close to the one i have if i could see the bottom i could tell. but either way looks alot better the the ones they make nowadays with a cheezy plate and lever assembly

[meatwagon83]

i had a mister gasket one in a 79 i had, that piece love to call apart!!

[wileecoyote427]

my 83 had a hurst one in itwhen i gotit i think it was the indy 3 speed or somethin never had any issues other then it seemed to far of a reach for 1st to 2nd

[77chevyinline6]

we lined it up with the drill bit and everything and still have problems. i just went from a 250inline 6 to a built 350 and this stupid shifter is the only thing keeping me from driving this truck.

[geezer#99]

You got your clutch set up right?

[SSC's76]

Originally Posted by 77chevyinline6

we lined it up with the drill bit and everything and still have problems. i just went from a 250inline 6 to a built 350 and this stupid shifter is the only thing keeping me from driving this truck.

That sucks man but shifters are kinda you get what you pay for deal. I do feel your pain like mentioned above ive been there thank god I found the camaro with the hurst in it. Id suggest trying to adjust it one more time.
The best way to try to adjust it is to set it in the the spot where you want it in the truck. make sure the trans is not in any gear. people try to shorten the rods thinking shorter is better its not true. Try to get the rods in the lowest holes on the shifter side and use the drill bit to keep then aligned. The drill bit does not work very well so you kinda need to hold the levers in place. Once done spray the crap out of the linkage with wd40 seems to help. Once your done give it a shot you may need to shorten the rods slightly afterwords I usually go 1/2 in at a time this will usually orient the shifter further toward the seat so you will need to find a happy place. See if doing it this way helps. Ive got a pos mr gasket 3 speed shifter in the wifes car it was in a box in the trunk when she bought it. I never quite finished adjusting it after that 6 to v8 swap but the car isnt driven been sitting still for 3 years she got on me today about it I need to pull the trans out and replace the flywheel so I might be able to post some helpful pics in the next few days if needed.

[meatwagon83]

Originally Posted by meatwagon83

i had a mister gasket one in a 79 i had, that piece love to call apart!!

well i butchered the hell out of that didnt i? i meant to say that piece of crap loved to fall apart!!

[geezer#99]

The first Mr. Gasket shifter I had fell apart too until I found out how to fix them.
THe centre bolt that goes thru the shifter and into the bracket is the problem. THat nut on that bolt always gets loose. The cure! Tighten the bolt up to make the shifter snug then drill a hole thru the nut and right thru the bolt and put a cotter key in it. It'll never loosen again. I've had 4 shifters done that way over the last 40 years and never had a problem.