'63 shifter heresy

[Jim C.]

If you are a "sinner" in between judging events.......consider installing the hurst shifter with a 63 repro handle. OMG you will actually hear your engine climb the gears without a rattlesnake rattling at a hundred decibels .
Time for judging ? An hour to swap back to the Muncie
Just my $.02.

[William C.]

Re: '63 shifter heresy

How about a decent rebuild for the original? They didn't rattle like that when new...

[Michael G.]

Re: '63 shifter heresy

I accidentally jammed a plastic bottle cap into the shifter boot and the rattle went away. I now keep it there all of the time. Might take it out for Duntov judging next Summer, haven't decided...

My son says its the best thing I ever invented....

[Jim C.]

Re: '63 shifter heresy

How about a decent rebuild for the original? They didn't rattle like that when new...

Bill , tried it all . Rebuilt not one , but two Muncies. New bushings, shifter rods, etc. Asked folks who remembered the back in the day , they said they all rattled . Part of the charm of the day . A large contributor to problem was mounting on the transmission rather than the frame which GM corrected in later years.
With the Hurst I can hear my solid lifter 340 SHP howl and the shifter looks great albeit the reverse lock out is just for show.

[William C.]

Re: '63 shifter heresy

Yes, there is always some noise from the trans mounted shifters, as compared to the frame mounted ones (although the Trans Mounted versions shift more dependably) But Ive owned several '64-65 cars with trans mounted shifters and haven't had excessive noise inside the car. But if you have undercar exhaust and can swap from a factory shifter to a Hurst and hve the whole thing in proper alignment in an hour, you might have a whole new source of revenue options available to you.

[Gene M.]

Re: '63 shifter heresy

I've got 4 of them and none of them rattle. Yours must be worn out to be noisy. Replace worn (thickness wise) pieces. A rebuild with bevel washers used to take up slop should help. Another trick is to compress the main shifter frame in a press to take up for wear. Reverse lock out rod wear could also be your problem.

[Mike M.]

Re: '63 shifter heresy

carlton and i will be checking for bottle cap, unless it's got a bottle of beer attached to it for sampling. mike.

[Jim C.]

Re: '63 shifter heresy

I accidentally jammed a plastic bottle cap into the shifter boot and the rattle went away. I now keep it there all of the time. Might take it out for Duntov judging next Summer, haven't decided...

My son says its the best thing I ever invented....

i believe it! I used rubber bands for a while , even on a "new one" from LI Corvette. It's no wonder folks found a better solution back in the day with Hurst! I put the two units side by side and there was no comparison in terms of machining, tolerances and quality. Then again original is original . In 63 GM used a 13 lb radiator cap until they determined a 14 lb was needed to prevent boil over. Everything evolves for a reason , including radiator caps and shifters.
a beer cap sounds like the best rattle inhibitor yet!

[Troy P.]

Re: '63 shifter heresy

When properly assembled all the early 63's buzzed/rattled at high RPM. As a result Chevy issued Technical Service Bulletin DR #595 Revised to show the dealers how to correct this common complaint. The fix is quite simple and does involve plastic - but not a bottle cap. A slotted washer is to be made from a thin plastic interior window crank trim/upholstery protector (part no. 4782769) and slid between the shift rod and the bracket.

The plan was to start with approximately November 15, 1962 production to install a Delrin insulating washer in the rest of the shifters. It was also planned to use as different shifter in 64 so it was felt the problem would be confined to early 63's. My 63 fuelie was made in August 62 and has the OEM buzz that a smart judge will be looking for in a PV.

[Michael G.]

Re: '63 shifter heresy

Jeeez Mikey, sample away, cause with a bottle engaged, I don't think the cap would be flexible enough to dampen the rattle...so, (strictly in the name of good engineering), I guess we'll have to take the bottle out and empty it

[Michael G.]

Re: '63 shifter heresy

Jeeez Mikey, sample away, cause with a bottle engaged, I don't think the cap would be flexible enough to dampen the rattle...so, (strictly in the name of good engineering), I guess we'll have to take the bottle out and empty it