Muncie Shifter Rebuild?

[Supercar_Kid]

I have a friend who's got a '68 Chevelle Nomad with a factory Muncie bench seat 4 speed shifter. It shifts very sloppy and it could certainly stand to be rebuilt, rebushed, adjusted, etc. I know these shifters didn't give the firm, positive shifts like Hurst units even when they were new, but I've driven other Chevelles with factory Muncie shifters that worked perfectly, so I know it's not the design itself. I think this one would suit him just fine if given a simple rebuild, but he's leaning towards throwing a new Hurst Competition/Plus in it. I just can't stand to see a nice original Muncie shifter being tossed in favor of a modern aftermarket part, so I've offered my help. Anyone know of a reputable place to have one of these original Muncie shifters rebuilt/refurbished? What's it take to get the slop out of an older Muncie shifter? Would new bushings do it, or do you think the box is worn out too? Thanks in advance for your help guys.

[Mr70]

Have you talked to CRASH (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showprofile.php?Cat=&User=367&page=5&what=showmemb ers)?

[Supercar_Kid]

Crash, you've got a PM.

[Denis]

They're actually pretty easy to rebuild yourself, and very satisfying once you're done. There's an excellent how-to article -- I think it's in a mid-95 issue of Musclecar Review.

[NCGuy68]

[ QUOTE ]
They're actually pretty easy to rebuild yourself, and very satisfying once you're done. /quote]

Yes, they're not that difficult to rebuild, but the Musclecar Review article is NOT the way to do it. A piece of rubber hose in place of the correct spring on the reverse lock-out is only prone to failure.

I can supply the commonly broken/missing parts to fix the shifter yourself as well as detailed exploded views of how it goes back together. I've helped several members of this board in the past as well as Jerry MacNeish, Rick George, Stan Younce, Randy Miller and others. I don't do it for profit...only to help other guys when I can.

Send me a email if your interested.

Email: [email protected]

[Belair62]

Are they still mystery shifters when they are done or do they tighten up ???

[NCGuy68]

They tighten up pretty good after I'am done with one. I use a slightly thicker lever shaft retainer and clean up the neutral gates as needed which helps alot. In most cases, the reverse lock-out assembly is broken which just adds to the 'what gear is this thing in' mystery.

I've rebuilt quite a few over the years and never had a complaint. For show, cruzin' or daily driving they work just fine. However, don't try any 8K RPM Bonzi power shifts! For that, you need a Hurst Competition Plus.

[Enoch]

Another trick for these muncie shifters (if they are sloppy) is to cad plate the levers, pin and housing. This always works for me when I rebuild them. The plating adds a few thousandth's to each part tightening things up. Hope this helps.
Rich.

[Mr70]

Does that work long term?
I would think that remedy would soon wear away.

[Enoch]

I have had cars with several thousand miles put on since being restored and have not had problems. It works best on the slides and divider (The pieces that the handle moves and the rods are connected to). If the cross pin is grooved the cad plating won't work on that so it will have to be replaced.

[NCGuy68]

I can't see how thin cad plating will tighten-up much of anything.

The slop in the shifter is the result of badly worn, broken or missing internal parts. Only remedy is to replace them. The lever shaft retainer and the reverse lever interlock will always need to be replaced. They account for alot of the slop.

[NCGuy68]

I can't see how cad plating will tighten-up much of anything.

The slop in the shifter is the result of badly worn, broken or missing internal parts. Only remedy is to replace them. The lever shaft retainer and the reverse lever interlock will always need to be replaced. They account for alot of the slop.