[HJones1313]

I finally got around to fabricating a heim-jointed shifter linkage, which makes shifting silky smooth. Made the rods out of heavy wall aluminum tubing and threaded it for 5/16-24 threaded male heim joints. The original rods were from a '77 T/A, and the 1-2 rod hit the trans tunnel hard enough to bind up the linkage. I stole the idea from the Hurst catalog for the Speedway shifter, and just figured I'd fab my own. A couple of very light bends were all that was needed to make them fit tight to the trans. If you're into modifying stuff, it's a very satisfying improvement that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. The shift arms were bushed using door hinge bushings to take up the play.

[Hammertime Mike]

What a great idea !! And they look very high end.

[HJones1313]

Thanks for the kind words Mike!

[Skip Fix]

Looks pretty slick!

[lust4speed]

Did you make the brass bushings also?

[HJones1313]

Originally Posted by lust4speed

Did you make the brass bushings also?

No, I just used some bushings I had laying around the garage; I'm pretty sure they were left over door hinge bushings. I reamed the holes out in the shift arms, pressed in the bushings then filed them flush. There is zero play in the linkage.

[Joel Koontz]

They look very nice and effective.

Did you bush the shift arms because they were worn, or because the factory holes were larger than the holes in the heim joints

[HJones1313]

Originally Posted by Joel Koontz

They look very nice and effective.

Did you bush the shift arms because they were worn, or because the factory holes were larger than the holes in the heim joints

You're right on the money; the factory holes were larger than the holes in the heims.

[pugslyx234]

Great looking thanks for the idea.

[HJones1313]

I appreciate all the positive comments! I like to share ideas (yes, sometimes bad ones) and especially like the ones that work well, look trick, and cost next to nothing.

[66 Gas Tires Oil]

very cool and effective. what was wrong with the original bronze bushings? to small for the new heim joint? again nice job.

Jim

[HJones1313]

Originally Posted by 66 Gas Tires Oil

very cool and effective. what was wrong with the original bronze bushings? to small for the new heim joint? again nice job.

Jim

Thank you. Neither the shift arms or the shifter itself used the bushings, and the holes in the shift arms allowed too much play. The bushings I used just took up the play.

[Young Pontiac Guy]

Where did you get the thick wall aluminum tubing?
Nice work!

[HJones1313]

Picked it up at a metal supply house, Metal Mart U.S.A in Madison Heights, MI

[pugslyx234]

Are the hex bolts shouldered or threaded all the way ?

[HJones1313]

Originally Posted by pugslyx234

Are the hex bolts shouldered or threaded all the way ?

They're threaded all the way, but the bolts don't move; the heim joint does the movement since the bolt locks it in place.

[Nitebird]

How thick are the walls on that aluminum tubing?
And how did you attach the threaded nut on the end of the aluminum tubing so that the heim joint could screw into it?

[HJones1313]

Can't find the receipt, but I'm positive that it's .120". The tubing is threaded for the male heims. The nut is a jam nut used to lock the heim in place.

[Don 79 TA]

didn't hurst at one time offer a street shifter version which used bushings and something like a super speedway shifter that used the joint/ball style?
i thought i recall something like that, maybe it may have had that reverse lever lock out deal and made mention of not fitting factory consoles???
been a long long time since i looked at an older setup like that

but... looks like you did a great job

[HJones1313]

Yes Don, I got the idea from the Speedway Super/Shifter in the 1992 Hurst catalog. It has specific shifter arms that allow the rods to be straight, with no bends, and does not have a reverse lock-out. Oh and thank you!