Hurst Reverse Linkage Problem on 61 Vette

[studiog]

Hi all. I have a Muncie M-20 and a Hurst shifter. I recently purchased a linkage kit for the car and found that the reverse arm in the kit does not fit... it's too small to fit over the shaft. The first-second and third-fourth arms and linkage all fit fine. Has anyone else run into problems with reverse arms & linkage? Thanks.

[maxphunn]

Man am I glad you posted this. At least you got two arms that fit, all three of mine would not fit over the 3/8" shaft. After opening all three up, I realised that one arm was wrong, they had sent 2 of the 1st/2nd arms. It was a lot of work making them fit.

I contacted Hurst, what a pain going through Mr Gasket voice mail hell, and made them aware of the situation. They said they would check into it and send me the correct arm. When the new one came, it didn't fit either!

Next time when I called, I finally got through to the head Hurst guy (if this thread goes any farther I will try to dig up his name for you). Explained in no uncertain terms that Hurst has a problem with this, and exactly what the problem was. He understood the problem, said he would go back to the bin himself and find three correct arms and send them off to me. I also asked him to call or email me to aknowledge the problem. Guess what? Never did get the arms or aknowledgement.

Can you tell I'm still a little PO'ed? I always thought of Hurst as a first rate organisation with excellent products and company service. My faith has been severly shaken.

Sorry for the long reply, I had to get that off my chest.

Pat G.

[studiog]

When I called the dealer I got the kit from he sounded like it happens allot. I also thought Hurst was a first rate outfit, I guess not. I got the same runaround when I called Mr Gasket with the automated phone system. I will keep trying and see what happens. Keep you posted.

[maxphunn]

I think that whoever stamps out these arms for Hurst made the mistake. Maybe they went metric or something. Hurst (Mr Gasket) knows about it but instead of informing all the dealers and having a "fix" kit readily available, they play dumb and figure the end users are hotrodders and will fix it themselves. That attitude really sucks.

If I didn't like the shifter so much, I'd have been a little more vocal about this. I knew I couldn'd be the only one that had the problem like they implied.

Pat G.

[IH2LOSE]

I can tell you guys if its anything like the hurst shifter in my 66 it will be worth the agravation. I LOVE MY SHIFTER.I was just in a car with a stock shifter today.

I just wonder why the general did not install a nice short throw shifter in the first place

[vette]

The hurst tec line is worthless. I had the same thing happen over a year ago and they where no help at all. Now i find old hurst parts like rods and levers even install brackets and save them for future projects. I know this don't help you but it is something to keep in mind. most of the old performance names have been bought up and ruined. Not all but most. Good luck on your 61.

[Ron Miller]

Originally Posted by IH2LOSE

I just wonder why the general did not install a nice short throw shifter in the first place

Did you know that some, if not all, of the mid-year 4-speeds have adjustable linkage holes in the linkage arms to enable you to set the throw for a standard throw length or for a shorter quick throw? Clutch linkage works the same way.

rlm

[bradfordsvettes]

had this problem on a job i did for some one else i got out the die grinder pina steve

[studiog]

I gave up on the Hurst help line... I think that is what they want you to do... and I bought a straight rod for a 69 Chevy pickup. Took less than 5 minutes to bend it and install it. (I stuck the rod through a small hole in my Vette's frame and made two quick bends) I just need to cut off the excess on the threaded end. I won't buy anymore Hurst products thats for sure.