I have a question for the 73 owners. Does anyone know what the Hurst shifter mechanism number is for a 73? I'm referring to the actual shifter itself, not the handle. I know that the 68-72's use Hurst # 3138. Was this also used in 73? Thanks, Larry
I looked, but didnt see anytihng but patent numbers - where on the shifter would I find it? Can you post a picture?
Rhett, Attached is a picture of the shifter mechanism from a 68-72 shifter that was on E-bay recently. The #3138 is stamped into the side of the shifter. I have also included a link to the Ebay ad for reference. I would also be interested in finding out what the number for the shifter handle is if you can provide it. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...eName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Thanks for your help. Larry
Thanks for the pic - it is a 3138....I dont see a number stamped into the handle though...if it's on the shank buried in the mechanism we're out of luck.... I have no idea how this might come apart! It might be different for a 73 with bucket seats anyway..it's got a good offset toward the driver and a more defined bend back (45 degrees?) Hope the pics help...
My shifter on my 350 4 speed has nothing but the patent numbers as well..My handle looks different than all the others as well. Must be that it's a bench seat handle It has no numbers on it as well...
Rhett & Pat, Thanks for taking the time to research this for me. The pictures you posted help a lot. After I posted my pictures, I realized the numbers were stamped on the forward face. Jason Cook had sent me a picture awhile back of a 73 shifter in a bench seat car that showed that the shifter handle had more bend to it than the 58-72 shifter handle. Also, the #3138 stamped on forward face only means that it is a part of the shifter mechanism per Pete Serio from Precision Pontiac who is an expert on Hurst shifters and rebuilds and restores them. This info comes from his book, Vintage Hurst Shifters, Volume 1. The handle has a number stamped on it but you have to remove it from the shifter mechanism to see it. It requires that you use a thin piece of metal and slide it down beside the handle to release the tab that holds it to the shifter mechanism. Attached are a couple of scans from the book that show how to remove the handle. The scans are kinda light. Apologize for that but I couldn't get them any darker and still be able to read them. Each of the scans show where to slide the piece of metal to release the handle. It may require a little bit of work to remove the handle as that part of the shifter was exposed to all the dirt, salt, water, and other debris from the underside of the car. It would be really interesting to compare yours and Pat's numbers from the handle as each was for a different application, ie, buckets seat versus a bench seat. I would be interested in any of the numbers stamped into the shifter mechanism if you can provide them. I'm going to try and talk to Pete Serio( He is a local guy) in the next couple of weeks and see what I can learn from him. He aslo has a second book, Volume #2, that might shed some light. Thanks for your and Pat's input. Good info. Larry
what I use to get the handle out is 2 feeler gauge's & it work's great. :TU: p.s. Larry if your talking to him would you find out how much he charge's to do a shifter rebuild & the turn around time? I need mine rebuilt before BG if possible. Thank's--Lee
Larry - My pleasure, and I'll try to slide that thin apart this weekend and see if I can read the numbers..
Lee, Here is the contact info for Pete Serio. His website has all the pertinent info to answer your questions regarding a rebuild & turnaround time. http://precisionpontiac.net/ HTH Larry
Rhett, I removed the handle from the shifter mechanism today that I received yesterday that I had bought off E-bay. I used a small putty knife to slide down between the handle and the stainless clip that holds it in place. The handle came out so easy I couldn't believe it. Must have been easy because the shifter came from California and wasn't rusty. I got really lucky with this purchase as the handle is very, very nice and the setup came with all the shifter arms, trunions, etc. The last time I tried to remove one of the shifter handles was from a shifter that came from the northeast and was rusty. I literally had to disassemble the shifter mechanism to get the handle out. Good luck getting your hanlde out!!! Larry
Talked to Pete Serio yesterday and had him take a look at this thread. He pointed out a couple of things regarding the 73 shifters and handles. He stated that the pictures of Rhett's shifter confirmed his understanding of what was put into these cars in 1973. He said the handle will only have an 'H' on it like the one Rhett posted. He aslo stated that the handle may nothave any numbers on it. His reasoning was that by 73 the muscle car market was dwindling fast and the car manufacturers were ordering Hurst shifters in small quantities. He also said that the shifter mechanism was probably completly different for 73 due to the new body style. He did say he thought the shifter mechanism was very similar to what Oldsmobile used in the 70 W30 & 442 cars. Rhett, if you get an opportunity to pull your shifter, it would be nice to see if it has any numbers on it. Thanks, Larry
At least I know the boot I gave you is NOS!. Got 2 4 speeds and I wont look cause they are sleeping. LOL:3gears: And i would need John C to do it.
Rhett, I appreciate your efforts in trying to get the handle out. I know first hand how difficult it can be to get one out, as stated earlier in this thread. If you are successful, great. If not, thanks for trying. Phil, Again, thanks for the shifter boot. I'm saving it for the correct shifter handle, when I find one. Larry
Great thread......Useful info because I'm looking to put a 4-speed in one of these 73s in the future......... Rhett, Could you measure the length of the shifter....maybe like from end to end and up the back side around the curve? Thanks!
To add to what Anthony requested, I would like to have a tracing of the shifter handle or some measurements so that a replacement handle might be able to be bought from Hurst. Thanks, Larry
