Reproduction Muncie Shifters

[vtfb68]

Hi guys,
 Has anyone used the repo 67, 68 Muncie shifters? what were your thoughts?
  Thanks,
    VT

[hotrod68]

I haven't used a repro Muncie shifter, but I sure hope they're better than the factory ones, which were awful. Everyone I knew back in the day junked the damned things and bought a Hurst Competition/Plus or a Super Shifter. The factory got wise in '69 and used a Hurst. Good luck.

[Steve68]

I haven't used a repro Muncie shifter, but I sure hope they're better than the factory ones, which were awful. Everyone I knew back in the day junked the damned things and bought a Hurst Competition/Plus or a Super Shifter. The factory got wise in '69 and used a Hurst. Good luck.

Original owner.  I still have my original Muncie shifter in my car.  Mine has held up well.  Hurst shifters do shift smoother but I don't have any complaints with my Muncie.......it has served me well.

Steve

[Kelley W King]

I would think someone has original looking Muncie handles to fit Hurst shifters. I have one on my mid year vette. It looks stock but shifts well.

[Mike S]

 Back in the day this may have been an issue if you were racing, but today we are driving pampered show cars so racing is not necessarily on the list anymore as far as shifter play is concerned (don't want to risk a blown drive train component).

I still have the original Muncie shifter and I found that as long as it is adjusted correctly and the rod unions are not worm out, it does shift good, though not as firm as a Hurst.
IMO I would stay with the original shifter unless it has major wear.

Mike

[vtfb68]

Hi guys,
 I bought the Muncie shifter (new in the box) for $ 40.00 @ the long beach swapmeet. Before I tear it apart (just for the stick) I was wondering how they performed. (or should i keep it for another project) The binding was caused becuse the Muncie shifters mount to the crossmember. .  solid, Hursts mount to the transmission so they move/torque with the driveline. Any users out there?
  Thanks,
  Victor

[x77-69z28]

I have the original Muncie shifter in my 67. It sucks. Had it rebuilt...still sucks. I only keep it because the car is so original. I would go hurst. I can't believe  this boob is going to be reflected president!

[vtfb68]

It's not a reflection.. its real. I like boobs.
   VT

[x77-69z28]

Damn spellcheck! I meant reelected

[JKZ27]

I have one of the repro shifters in my 68. I used it when I converted from automatic. Ive been using it regularly for over three years now and it works fine, or about as fine as the original I have in my 69. The main problem I ran into was the torque rod that connects to the trans was too long and the bracket at the trans needed to be modified. Although, I don't think those parts came with the shifter itself. For spirited driving I think I'd rather have the Hurst.

John

[1968 Z28]

I have one of the repro shifters in my 68. I used it when I converted from automatic. Ive been using it regularly for over three years now and it works fine, or about as fine as the original I have in my 69. The main problem I ran into was the torque rod that connects to the trans was too long and the bracket at the trans needed to be modified. Although, I don't think those parts came with the shifter itself. For spirited driving I think I'd rather have the Hurst.

John

 You have to watch out for the torque rod as there are two different lengths.  The long one for the saginaw transmission and the shorter one for the muncie transmission.  Also, there are two different torque rod mounting brackets.  The bracket with the opposing bends is used on the saginaw transmission and the one with both bends going the same direction is used on the muncie transmission.

  Another anomaly for the torque rod is the one used for the big block....it has two bends in it to offset for the big block engine offset.

  As to the repo shifter....it seems to work as good as the original....just don't know for sure about the durability of the parts.  Don't know about the steel parts and their wear ability.  Only time will tell.

[JKZ27]

Ah, sounds like I got the saginaw rod and bracket. I just shortened the rod and ground the edge of the bracket for functionality. It was just repro stuff. However, the shifter has held up well for a repro in all aspects. I'm not always "easy" on it. 

Thanks for the info

John

[JoeC]

I have been a collector of  the OEM Muncie and Hurst shifters for many years. I started doing it just to get the chrome sticks to use on Hurst
shifters but I saved all the parts. The original 67-68 Muncie shifters are not hard to find but some of the small parts are hard to find as they are missing
on most of the used shifters.