Q: Hurst Shifters
I was wondering if anyone out there has replaced their click-clack console in a 1967 with something else. I am converting my car from a ST300 to a four-speed, and will be using a Hurst shifter. I was thinking of trying to find a shift boot that will fit in the opening, but wanted to see if anyone else has any ideas.
A: 1968 and later Firebirds came standard with Hurst shifters. This would be more correct in apperance that the aftermarket Hurst shifters. The factory shifter came with a round stick that was locked into the shifter body Replacement Hurst shifters have a flat, bolt-on stick. You can convert the 1967 automatic console very easily, just take out the auto. shift plate and replace with the 1967 4 speed shifter plate, which is avaliable repro. DO NOT use the orginal 1967 4 speed shifter. Bad news is the 1968-1969 shifter hits the front of 1967 console with this combo. I used a 1967 4 speed console in my 1968 with correct 1968 shifter and found this out. easy fix was to leave the console loose and live with it. You might consider using a 1968-1969 4 speed console. I saw one that the burled elm was shot so the owner removed the veneer and painted it semi gloss black. To tell you the truth it didnt look too bad that way. Then you wouldnt have a mismatch or wood trim 1967 vs 1968-1969.
A: I did this conversion many years ago, using stock parts. The 67 console is the same, in either manual or automatic applications. They use a seperate bezel which is specific to the transmission type. Replace your auto trans. bezel with a stick shift unit, and get the stock boot and retainer plate. The transmission I used had a Hurst Competition Plus shifter, useable with or without a console. There were no fit issues regarding the console.
Hurst makes another shifter, the “Street Super Shifter”, which uses straight rods and does not fit any console. And of course, there is the Indy shifter. I don’t know if that shifter will fit a console, but may prefer to use a stock shifter instead. Maybe.
As for boots… You can use any boot you like, since they are nearly entirely covered by the shifter plate. And the boot size isn’t hindered by the console or plate either. If you happen to have a badly butchered trans tunnel, as many of our veteran cars do, get any aftermarket boot that will cover the hole. Otherwise, the stock boot will work with the Hurst shifter.
I hope that this helps.
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Content last modified: January 16, 2014 at 9:11 pm
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