dejavu442

I am looking to replace my 4 speed shifter with ( in my dreams) a Hurst competition plus shifter . Everything that I have seen suggests that the competition plus shifter is not available for 68-69 442s. Is that correct? That seems weird.

Assuming that I am wrong and the Hurst competition plus can fit a 68, then another dream, can I re-chrome my existing shifter lever (with the "442" and "H" ) and use that with a new Hurst competition plus shifter assembly??? Has anyone done this???

Thanks !!!!

fast67vellen2o

Your factory GM 68-69 Hurst 442 shifter is a Competition Plus shifter.

dejavu442

That is what I mean by weird. The current shifter locks up quite a bit, so I thought that I would simply get a replacement competition plus shifter from Summit. No dice, amigos! The application guide, even from Hurst themselves, do not show a replacement available. So my question is , if one were to replace their OEM shifter with a competition plus shifter, where did you go for sourcing??? Or is restoration/ refurbishing the only available option???

joe_padavano

What do you mean by "locks up"? Have you verified that the nylon bushings are in good shape and the linkage is adjusted properly? If so, then consider having your original rebuilt.

Be aware that the factory Hurst shifters are not identical to the aftermarket ones, not to mention (as you have found) there is no longer one offered for that car. Something about supply and demand.

Rickman48

I think sometime in the '70's, Hurst made the competition plus shifter assembly seperate from the shifter arm itself - you could change the arm with two bolts under the rubber boot.
I imagine you could cut and drill your old arm, if you found an assembly in good shape on here, or a swap meet.
Hurst Customer Service might be a help, too!

fast67vellen2o

Just get your factory shifter rebuilt by Hurst. They offer a rebuilding service and it is relatively cheap. A new competition plus shifter body will not fit your factory handle unless you drill it out to accept mounting bolts.

joe_padavano

The two main differences between the factory and aftermarket Hurst shifters were the bolt-on stick (factory shifters used a snap-in stick) and the lack of stop bolts on the factory shifters. Yes, you could get an aftermarket Competition Plus shifter for this application, but there is virtually no demand for it today so Hurst no longer sells it.

Michael Tolomei

Keep that shiftier, it's worth quite a bit, have it rebuilt. Go peak on Ebay, they range between 200$ and 400$ even with wear, and chrome flaking off. And they are rare as well.

They used to offer re pops in OPGI magazine, but they have been discontinued and aren't as nice as the original deal.

classicmuscle442

Probably needs good cleaning and bushings as stated above. Think you can get brass bushings instead of the plastic ones.

joe_padavano

Ebay ASKING prices are meaningless. The fact that someone asks a million bucks for a POS doesn't make it worth that much. Factory 442 stamped Hurst shifters from 1966-69 typically SELL (as in cash actually changes hands) in the $100-$150 range for used condition needing rebuilding. They aren't that rare - there are usually two to four for sale on ebay at any given time.

Now the correct 1970-72 shifters are much harder to find and do sell for more.