I have a '68 4-speed manual. Reverse is to the Left and Down. Originally, as I have seen in numerous pictures, the stick shift has a spring-loaded lever attached. It locks you out of Reverse unless it is pulled. I’m calling that a “Reverse Lockout.” As you can see in the picture below, I don’t have one.
I bought this car about three years ago and it never had the lockout. I have gotten used to the shift pattern so it is a rare occasion that I wander into “The Reverse Zone” without actually trying to. That said, I am extremely reluctant to downshift into second because that’s where I have the most trouble.
I spoke to a mechanic friend who recommended swapping it out with a shift kit. I would like to know what the forum recommends. Is there a way to repair or replace this component without swapping out the entire transmission? If the answer is to install a shift kit, what do you recommend (brand name, style)?
This car is a cruiser. I’m not looking to set it up as a race car (though a shorter throw would be nice). Nor am I looking to do a complete “as original” restoration. I don’t want to be cheap but I don’t want to pour my life savings into this car either. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
Unlike most modern transmissions, the shifter and linkage for a toploader are completely external “bolt-ons” to the transmission itself. So absolutely no need to worry about replacing the entire transmission in order to address a shifter issue. Also, the only way I have ever known the term “shift kit” to be used is with regard to internal modifications to an automatic transmission. If your mechanic seriously suggested repair of a manual 4-speed shifter via installation of a shift kit, look for a new mechanic.
Since you indicate that maintaining the vehicle in completely stock form isn’t a prime consideration, consider a Hurst Competition Plus shifter. (You’ll also need an installation kit.) They’re readily available, it’s a period correct modification, and will provide far better shift quality than even a refurbished or new stock shifter.
I mispoke by using the term “shift kit.” The friend was steering me in the direction of a new Hurst-style shifter. For the price and performance upgrade, this may be the way to go for me. Is this a difficult modification or something fairly simple?
I know that question is relative to the skill of the mechanic and the equipment they have. Having never done any of this, will I need to be dropping the transmission or just pulling apart the center console and sliding under the car for a while?
Its been a while since I’ve installed one, and I’ve never done so on a '67 or '68. As I recall, clearance is tight between the tailshaft and the side of the transmission tunnel. But you don’t need a lot. It might (or might not) be necessary to unbolt the transmission mount and nudge the tailshaft towards the passenger side to get clearance to install the shifter mounting bolts. But transmission removal shouldn’t be needed.
Likewise, it shouldn’t be absolutely necessary to remove the console, either, unless its to replace the shifter boot. Hurst uses a rectangular opening in the boot, stock is round. Hurst-style boots are readily available for '69 up, I don’t know about '67-'68. Of course, if you use a stock-style lever on the Hurst shifter, the existing boot will work fine.
or just pulling apart the center console and sliding under the car for a while? 