[Mark66]

I own a 1966 Pontiac Grand Prix. I am getting ready to replace the turbo hydra-matic with a Muncie 4 speed from a 1966 Pontiac Grand Prix donor car. Is it better to install the shifter on the Muncie BEFORE it is installed in the car – or after? The Service Manual recommends installing the shifter after the transmission has been installed in the car – but it would seem much easier to connect and align the shifter rods to the shifter and then install the complete unit in the car. Do I have the flexibility to install the shifter before and after the Muncie has been installed?

By the way, I had Pete Serio rebuild the original Hurst shifter. Came back better than new!

[Stuart]

I'd think it would be difficult to try to fish the lever up through the floor at the same time as installing the transmission. On aftermarket Hurst shifters the lever is removable, so you can get the rods and everything all set up beforehand and then just pop the lever off when installing it. I've never had a car with the factory Hurst shifter, can you remove the lever on them?

[tom s]

I adjust them on the bench and put them on in the car.Tom

[bhill86]

Originally Posted by Stuart

I've never had a car with the factory Hurst shifter, can you remove the lever on them?

They do come off but it can be a bit tricky

[Bluesugar]

install tranny then shifter

[mgarblik]

I do it just like Tom S said. Get it all adjusted on the bench and then it's just plug and play.

[433lemans]

Originally Posted by Stuart

I'd think it would be difficult to try to fish the lever up through the floor at the same time as installing the transmission. On aftermarket Hurst shifters the lever is removable, so you can get the rods and everything all set up beforehand and then just pop the lever off when installing it. I've never had a car with the factory Hurst shifter, can you remove the lever on them?

Up to and including 1966, the factory Hurst levers were welded to the internal "selector" of the mechanism. To remove the lever one would have to disassemble the entire shifter body. If it is truly a '66 Hurst, this would be the case. Beginning in 1967 the factory shifters have the removable levers.

[Mark66]

It is a true hurst shifter and the handle cannot be removed without disassembling the entire shifter.
The trans swap work should start this week and the mechanic says he will play it by ear but would prefer to install the trans with the shifter installed.
Time will tell. Thanks for the comments

[Scarebird]

Originally Posted by 433lemans

[/B]

Up to and including 1966, the factory Hurst levers were welded to the internal "selector" of the mechanism. To remove the lever one would have to disassemble the entire shifter body. If it is truly a '66 Hurst, this would be the case. Beginning in 1967 the factory shifters have the removable levers.

My 66 442 had the factory Hurst shifter - the lever could be removed with a thin piece of sheet metal - tricky at best.

Tom's idea is best - set it up on the bench then remove the shifter lever rearward nuts leaving the front nuts in place. Then once trans is mounted, slide rods back into shifter levers and replace rear nuts.

[433lemans]

Originally Posted by Mark66

It is a true hurst shifter and the handle cannot be removed without disassembling the entire shifter.
The trans swap work should start this week and the mechanic says he will play it by ear but would prefer to install the trans with the shifter installed.
Time will tell. Thanks for the comments

I will finish by saying good luck to you and your mechanic who may very well have it figured out, but the thing that is going to stymy this in my mind is the size of the shifter hole in the floorboard in relation to how far back the trans will have to be for the input shaft to clear to go into the bellhousing during the installation. I think the hole in the floor would have to be enlarged rearward to allow this to happen, and maybe that's his plan? I don't know what these models have for a shifter "tunnel" but maybe that can be removed to facilitate this? I'm intrigued and wish you luck!