Pistol Grip Shifter ?

[BadJoey]

Hey guys . I have a 70, 440 Challenger 4 speed with the original shifter . Seems I recall hearing the shifters look good but do not shift very well . Mine shifts like crap . Does not go in and out of gear very well and I have to fight to get in reverse . Do you think it is just my adjustment or  do the shifters stink . If I replace it any sugestions ? Thanks guys thinking spring .

[Chryco Psycho]

Nothing wrong with the pistol grip / Hurst unit , but after 40+ years they need to be disassembled cleaned rebuilt with new grease & adjusted , so you need to remove it & service it , Hurst does sell new units if you decide to replace the whole unit .

[HP2]

Hurst also offers a rebuild service if you want to keep your original mechanism.

[CudamanTom]

I wouldn't replace it until cleaning and lubing it first as mentioned before.
Maybe a rebuild if everything looks wore out.
Then check your adjustments.

If none of the above works, replace it.

[Edison1970]

Most likely slop in the shift linkage from my experience.  They make a bushing kit  to tighten everything up. 

[BadJoey]

Most likely slop in the shift linkage from my experience.  They make a bushing kit  to tighten everything up.

By slop in the shift linkage are you talking about the body at the bottom of the shifter or the linkages to the trans ? Thanks

[Edison1970]

Both.  The kit I have has hardened steel inserts that would be inserted in the shifter levers on the trans.  Pull the shifter rods off one at a time and inspect the end of the rods and holes they go in.  I'll take a picture tonight to show you.

[67vertman]

Brewers sells a kit as well.  It a DYI job.

http://brewersperformance.com/products.asp?cat=132

[4 speed fish]

The shifters are easy to rebuild.The full kit is about 100 bucks.I have done 3 of them.

[Sleepychallenger]

Will a missing shim cause issues?

[BadJoey]

Looking on the internet I found 3 choices . 

1) A rebuild kit for $ 100.00
2) I can send it right to hurst and they will rebuild it for $250.00 plus any parts not in the kit .
3) My third choice is a whole new lower part for $ 300.00

I'm leaning towards choice 3 . I'll keep the old part . Is there any benifit to keeping the original part ? In the world of matching numbers do shifting parts count , either way I'll still have the original .

[Edison1970]

I would remove the shifter and rods first and inspect them.  It could be just the adjustment of the rods.  I would also check the clutch adjustment too. 

[73440]

Only trouble I have is it's a little work to get into reverse, as all are saying, that is probably adjustment needed.

[dodj]

Only trouble I have is it's a little work to get into reverse, as all are saying, that is probably adjustment needed.

Reverse does take a bit more force to engage even when adjusted perfectly.

[Chryco Psycho]

I would go for option 4 , pull it out go through it & see how it works cleaned up & adjusted properly , no cost & if it needs parts you know what you need to replace !!