Hi I searched for some answers, but didn't find it here - yet.... Anyone know a toploader shifter guru?
1st question is - how do you take the lever apart? There is a spring-loaded wire (not a cable as near as I can see) between the lockout "ears" and a cast plunger in the bottom of the lever.
2nd question is - are replacement parts available? Short of buying a whole "new" lever.
I have a '66 hard top with a 289, it was originally a 3 speed car. I put in a 4 speed transmission out of a '69 Mustang, and used both the stock '69 shifter (without the reverse lockout in the handle) for a while and a Hurst Comp. plus shifter for a while. After seeing stock '65-'67 4 speed handles WITH those reverse lockout "ears" at many shows over the years, I just had to have one so I bought a very used early Mustang 4-speed shifter. I have restored the shifter box so it glides like butter, now the handle needs some attention. This is not MY shifter, but a nice photo:
Let me go off on a rant here - I have driven this car daily from 1979 to 1992, well over 200,000 miles, and I know the Hurst shifter is the better performing job, but (see above) now both of my old shifters have some wear on them and I just have to have that stock 1960's Pony car lever, so I may try adapting the stock lever to a new Hurst shifter box, but that's another challenge.
But my interest is all about the stock part. The used early 4 speed lever I have has had the reverse lockout "ears" broken off and I am looking for restoration parts for it. I see re-chromed levers on EBAY often, so I think it must be possible to dis-assemble the lever.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Mark
1st question is - how do you take the lever apart? There is a spring-loaded wire (not a cable as near as I can see) between the lockout "ears" and a cast plunger in the bottom of the lever.
2nd question is - are replacement parts available? Short of buying a whole "new" lever.
I have a '66 hard top with a 289, it was originally a 3 speed car. I put in a 4 speed transmission out of a '69 Mustang, and used both the stock '69 shifter (without the reverse lockout in the handle) for a while and a Hurst Comp. plus shifter for a while. After seeing stock '65-'67 4 speed handles WITH those reverse lockout "ears" at many shows over the years, I just had to have one so I bought a very used early Mustang 4-speed shifter. I have restored the shifter box so it glides like butter, now the handle needs some attention. This is not MY shifter, but a nice photo:
Let me go off on a rant here - I have driven this car daily from 1979 to 1992, well over 200,000 miles, and I know the Hurst shifter is the better performing job, but (see above) now both of my old shifters have some wear on them and I just have to have that stock 1960's Pony car lever, so I may try adapting the stock lever to a new Hurst shifter box, but that's another challenge.
But my interest is all about the stock part. The used early 4 speed lever I have has had the reverse lockout "ears" broken off and I am looking for restoration parts for it. I see re-chromed levers on EBAY often, so I think it must be possible to dis-assemble the lever.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Mark
