Shift Quality of The Keisler Manuals?

[Mopar73340]

they include a 1 inch alum spacer in the kit now (2 years ago now, I did mine.  I did all the work on it ), mounts between the Tranny and the tranny bracket to correct the angle.

I had one of their original tranny kits and also did my own installation and also as stated above they sent me the aluminum spacers after calling with angle problems. Unfortunatly without cutting the floor or doing some serious sledgehammer work I was only able to get 1/2" worth of spacers in. I had to finish correcting the driveline angle with shims at the rear. If your cutting the hump for the auto to 4-spd conversion pannel you won't have this problem. Even with the 1" shim I believe the rear of the engine is slightly lower that stock.

[Carlwalski]

Thanks everyone, I will let you know how I get on and if I need any more help. 

[Carlwalski]

Just purchased my Keisler TKO-600 (0.82) over the phone. Gene said it would be 3-4 weeks until I'll get the kit.
Just need to make a custom drive-shaft which is easy, had to do it for the GV as well. Can't wait!!!!

Take it away banana's...........


Ps: I forgot to ask Gene at Keisler what the handles are like. They almost look carbon fiber? I was thinking maybe I should get a NOS or excellent condition original handle and bolt that in? Yes? No? Are they wood and if so, do you like yours?

[Robb]

plastic simulated woodgrain   (if you mean the grips)

The chrome lever part will have "TKO"  engraved on the side, but its very subtle.


if they told you 3-4 weeks, Ill wager that it will really be 6.5 weeks    (in good fun, should we start a betting pool?)

[Carlwalski]

With the cost of the conversion you can count me out! 

Yeah, he said they usually ship them out in sections, but he would wait until my kit was complete before shipping.
He sounded pretty genuine about the time period, hopefully they pull through. I'm in no rush, body work won't start until the pennies are saved, probably looking at 4-5 months.

Thanks, I did see that about the handles. He also said the shift throw was about 1 to 1-1/2", true? 
I think I asked before but forgot, will an original pistol grip bolt into this?


 

[Mopar73340]

if they told you 3-4 weeks, Ill wager that it will really be 6.5 weeks    (in good fun, should we start a betting pool?)

I tend to agree with the above, and I have heard even longer as in several months late. I hope yours dosent take that long NZ. I spoke to Gene a few weeks back and have had excellent service with Richard in tech support. Supposedly all of the people that caused their poor cust service have been fired according to what they told me. The original pistol grip bolts right up as that is what I used. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you NZ>

[Carlwalski]

I tend to agree with the above, and I have heard even longer as in several months late. I hope yours dosent take that long NZ. I spoke to Gene a few weeks back and have had excellent service with Richard in tech support. Supposedly all of the people that caused their poor cust service have been fired according to what they told me. The original pistol grip bolts right up as that is what I used. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you NZ>

Thanks mate, I will look for an original pistol grip. Do you have any photos of yours?
Thanks for  the good will. 

[Mopar73340]

Thanks mate, I will look for an original pistol grip. Do you have any photos of yours?
Thanks for  the good will. 

NZ, I'll try and take a few and post tomorrow.

[Carlwalski]

Thanks mate, much appreciated. 

[Mopar73340]

Here are a few I took today, not the best as it snowed last night and lighting is not the best inside the garage.

[Carlwalski]

Awesome!! Thanks for that. I want the original handles, I like the "HURST" emblem better than TKO.
Were the original pistol grips all plastic inserts? Where did you buy yours, eBay?


Thanks once again for the photos. 

[Mopar73340]

Carl, I prefer the "HURST" also!!!  The originals are plastic and mine show some wear as does the chrome but they are the original ones that came with the car. I may look for some new ones at some point when I get around to changing the bezel to the 5-spd version. 

[Carlwalski]

A-ha! You just reminded me of something I was thinking about while falling a sleep last night.... 
The original bezels, how hard are they to remove and install a 5 speed H pattern?

Do the Keisler shifters come with their bezel already installed or do you have to "glue" it in etc?


 

[Mopar73340]

According to Keislers web site, theirs come with either the 4,5,or 6 spd patterns. I have never changed the lens or bezel so I don't know how it comes off. Hopefully someone else here can let us know.

[Carlwalski]

Hey Mopar73340, I was just about to buy a reproduction pistol grip from Brewers but it seems there is a difference in the 70 and early 71 shifters compared to the 71-74 shifters? These are the notes and differences in mounting:


1ST PHOTO - PG612 REPRO PISTOL GRIP SHIFTER HANDLE E-BODY, 71-4 B-BODY
Hurst reproduction pistol grip as used in 1970-74 E-body and 71-4 B-body cars
(using rear shifter location), requires bolt-on style shifter mechanism.

2ND PHOTO - PG461 RESTORED PISTOL GRIP HANDLE 1970-71 E-BODY ORIGINAL
Restored original push-in style pistol grip handle, correct for 1970 and early 1971 B/E-body cars. Handles are re-chromed, new shift pattern lens and premium grips installed. Only original bezels are used on these handles

So, there is a bolt on style shifter and a push in style shifter, what did you use?
I'm guessing you used and I need the blue one, bolt on style?

By the way, what transmission did you pick? TKO-500, TK0-600 .64 or .82?


Cheers,
Carl