The original Hurt shifter in my 68 had rubber grommets vulcanized onto the 3 shifter levers and the 3 shift linkages, but they're beyond repair, so I'm going with the repros that Ames sells. The linkages on my 68 had various hardware store washers, cotter pins, Hurst clips etc... and I'm wanting to put it back as right as possible, but don't have much to go on. I'm guessing that each rubber grommet gets a wave washer, but not a flat one? Will the Hurst clips work OK with the rubber grommets, or did the factory use some sort of cotter pin? Thanks!
Hey Duff, I am not exactly clear by your description what combo of parts your using. The only stock original shifter I ever used was in a 67 I did years ago which was in good shape so I put everything back in the way it came. If you are going to be using your original rods and are trying to put aftermarket Hurst style plastic bushings on them from what I remember once the rubber is removed the rod end is smaller then the aftermarket rod. The main thing to remember is that the end product should have as little side to side rocking deflection as possible but still rotate smoothly to prevent missed shifts. If you are using the original rods and levers and you find the aftermarket plastic bushings will not accomplish this I would suggest you go to a local independent machine shop and bring your rods and levers and have them make them out of bronze. I have had to do this on old farm machinery and heavy equipment where there is excessive wear, always with good results. As far as the original setup of washers and clips I know either the GM parts book or the manual has an exploded view of these.
In the Gm parts book for our Birds it shows cotter pins for 69 also but I have no personal experience to speak from. http://www.teufert.net/partbook/67-76/4-i.pdf scroll down to illustration 9 for the exploded view.
Thanks for posting BB! Are those pictures from a genuine GM manual or a reprint? The reason I ask is because, 30 years ago I ordered reprinted corvette manuals, they were light print and blurry, I threw them away. I need to buy a clear reprint assembly manual for the 68 fb I'm working on, any idea as to who sells clear copies? Thanks again for the help!
Several years ago I purchased a copy (decent reprint) of the 1972 Pontiac Parts book, Illustrations and parts groups which includes the parts for the '68 Firebird. I suspect it is the same one Yellowbird had on her site for many years. It was massive, consisting of several hundred pages. I finally took a day to take out all the non-1st Gen pages and got it down to three binders. I got it from an auto manual vendor.
There is no known 1968 Firebird Assembly Manual available. The 1968 Camaro and 1969 Firebird Assembly Manuals are as close as you'll get.
That teufert.net parts book that barnbird found is the best I know of available online. It appears to be a '76 version which might explain the slightly different format than my '72 manual version.
Agree with everything Jim said. Here is the link to the 76 master parts catalog http://www.teufert.net/partbook/index.htm Being from 76 there are a few superseded part numbers but it usually gives the original to the left, you just have to pay attention or you will be looking for the wrong number. Also there are a few discontinued parts by that time like the adjustable shocks that were a rare option to begin with but most are there. I know you are familiar with Harold Bs site and he has the 68 Camaro assembly manual.
