1969 factory hurst date codes

[302moz]

The stamped numbers on the 69 Camaro factory Hurst shifters are date codes or not?Been thinking about this for awhile.Peter Serio says no.Any thoughts?

[enio45]

I could never decipher a system that resembled a date code - so i gave up trying to match a shifter to a certain build range.

[HawkX66]

Yes, there's a method to the madness... Gary (69Z28-RS) on CRG has looked at this a lot along with several other people. Here's a quote from Gary explaining it: "The code '19D52P' is a manufacturer's serial number that has the month/yr of production coded into the first 2 (or 3) characters. First number 1 is month (January), 2nd number (9) is for the year.."

[bergy]

Good info. Just curious - did they explain the different applications for the round (rubber inserted) shifter rod holes versus the holes with the two securing "tangs" in them (look kinda like a bow tie cut out)?

[HawkX66]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bergy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good info. Just curious - did they explain the different applications for the round (rubber inserted) shifter rod holes versus the holes with the two securing &quot;tangs&quot; in them (look kinda like a bow tie cut out)? </div></div>
I'm sorry, but I can't recall anything in particular. There's a guy &quot;Joe&quot; from either RI or CT that really is a guru when it comes to the Hurst shifters. History etc. He's been out on Camaros.net quite a bit in the past. If anyone would know, I'd reason to bet it would be him. &quot;Crash&quot; might as well.

[JoeC]

In the past, Pete S. has said GM OEM shifters were not date coded but I think has changed his mind because it has been documented with many examples.

The 1969 shifter levers (on the shifter) have the rubber molded on the shift lever rod holes. The holes are not round but have two notches in them to accept the rubber.

The transmission forward shift levers have the same hole with notches. Some of them had the rubber molded on but some didn't. The AIM drawing shows the transmission shift levers without the rubber but shows the holes with the notches. I always found this to be odd because you don't need the notches if you don't add the rubber.
The Camaro reverse trans lever has a round hole with no rubber. In general, most trans Levers have a round hole no notches.

Pontiac used the same transmission forward shift levers with the rubber and used a different reverse lever with rubber.
I have seen the transmission forward shift levers with rubber and without on original 69 Camaros.

[bergy]

Good insight Joe. Soooo - does the shifter lose any points at inspection if there aren't any rubber grommet present? Steve?

[Steve Shauger]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: enio45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I could never decipher a system that resembled a date code - so i gave up trying to match a shifter to a certain build range.

</div></div>

Here's a CRG thread I posted on a couple of years ago. I do believe there is date coding based on the shifter I've examined on unrestored cars. For example my 9A of 69 built Z has a code of 89= Aug of 69. I have 10 example that correlate perfectly.

Thread :
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=11380.0

[Steve Shauger]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bergy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good insight Joe. Soooo - does the shifter lose any points at inspection if there aren't any rubber grommet present? Steve? </div></div>

I've only seen original shifter with rubber grommets. Now some shifter have just remnants of the rubber grommet/isolators left. The original cars I've examined cover builds 9B of 68 thru 10D of 69. I'm not stating that OEM shifters weren't made without the grommets although I haven't seen any.