Wanted 4 Speed Shifter Handle Information

I have been asking around for an original shifter handle for about a year and the response was that if anyone had this shifter it was part of a complete 4 speed package for big bucks. I heard through the grapevine one person was looking into making them but patent issues with HURST may hold them up.

I called HURST to see if they had any plans for a release on a handle and the request fell on deaf ears and never got a call back. I sent a message to their Technical Support e-mail address and the response was basic, "we do not have shifters for a 70-72 GS Buick cars and will not make them now or in the future, try an earlier model shifter and modify it". Totally unacceptable It's a shame considering guys like me need these parts for conversions and more and more guys are doing this. I just want CORRECT a shifter handle.. I bought one off e-bay for an Oldsmobile 442 and it doesn't look like the angle of the handle is right and have no way to compare it to anything.

My best friend is a veteran machinist who has the ability and resources to make this handle. He was here today and I complained about the lack of supply for these handles and he indicated it doesn't appear to be a big deal to make. With obvious HURST infringement patent rights he can make them w/o the logo (he does have the ability to make them with the logo).

QUESTION: does anyone have information specific to this handle.. meaning dimensions/measurement/size logo information/illustrations - ANYTHING I can present to my friend so that he and his engineers can review and possibly put something together. Additionally, if anyone has illustrations on how the handle bolts up to the shifter that would be great too. The Oldsmobile handle has a one hole configuration that bolts to the shifter and the shifter has a two hole configuration o No: . My entire shifter and bell housing assembly came out of a 71 455 car and is period correct. I looked in one of my master chassis manuals under 4 speed transmission and the illustration is there, but not clearly defined.


If it works out I can sell them for what it takes to make them here on the board. My only request is I just want a period correct handle without giving up my first born. I don't think it's that unreasonable.

Thanks,

Mike

 

I wish I had a project going and I would gladly send it to you for reference. Sorry.

I hope someone steps up and helps a brutha out. Good Luck.


P.S. Att All. We need to support these people trying to keep us alive!!

 

Buick is Hurst # 5335. The contour for the 68-72 Olds Cutlass non 442 is the same. The Olds just has "H" whereas the Buick has "HURST" on the sides.

 

Thanks for the reply, so I guess the 442 handle in my possession is the same (with different logo information) and same angle. I have a bench seat configuration and it appears the shifter has too much of an angle but if it works, it's good for me.. I just don't want to pull it into second gear and hit the front of the seat.

I still need (pictures) information as to how this handle bolts on the shifter. The 442 handle has a 1 hole configuration and the shifter has a two hole bolt pattern. Aside from drilling another hole I want to see if the bottom of the handle is "sandwiched" between the shifter and a threaded sleeve of some sort (??). The problem is I don't know what it should look like.

The question remains, does anyone have logo information, how about a close-up picture of the shifter? OR anything else with dimensions?

I will make this handle with the required information..



Mike

 

No the 442 is not I thought but it might be just a logo difference. A 442 handle has 442 on the sides not just an H.


It does not bolt to the mechanisn. It is held in place by a pawl on the driver's side fitting into an indenture on the handle.

 

Ttt

 

Jim,

What does TTT mean? I see it every so often. Sorry.

Mike

 

"To the top " to bring the thread back to the front.

 

442 handles also differ depending on the year. A 66 for example has a blunt end up at the threads that is squared off. Later years have a tapered end near the threads.


The more I thnk about the 442 handle it may have the shape just not a compatible logo. The reason I picked a Cutlass handle as I recall is because to the logo just being an H which is not obviously incorrect for a Buick application like the 442 logo is.

 

Here are some pics of the Hurst 5335 out of a 70 Stage 1.

 

James, Thanks for posting the Pic.:beer

 

If you are planning to use the 5335 shifter with a bench seat,you may want to look into the number for the bench seat shifter handle.I am thinking the 5335 wont work in your application.You guys have it easy. Try finding a shifter for a 73 GS with a bench seat. There were only 365 GS cars built with one from the beginning and I have no clue how many were bench seat cars. I have seen the Chevy as well as Olds shifters and they are totally different. I have not seen a Pontiac one if they made them at all. Luckily, I have the original one in my car thats in good condition.

 

Ditto James, thanks for the pictures, appreciated.

Bignasty - my understanding is the #5335 shifter was the shifter installed regardless of the seat configuration (bench verses buckets). I have not heard of another shifter that was made to accommodate the bench.

Has anyone heard of this, could there be another shifter specific to a bench seat?

Mike

 

The parts books do not show a difference for a bench seat.

 

70-72 Buicks used the same shifter handle regardless of which type front seat was installed.

I had a 70 Stage 4-speed with a front bench, and if you are a short person like me, and put the seat all the way forward, then the ball hits the seat in second gear. That's just the way it was.

As far as "I just want a period correct handle without giving up my first born. I don't think it's that unreasonable." The sad reality is they were hard to find 15 years ago and expensive then, so I wish you well with your search.
Duane

 

Mike,
If I had a spare I would send it to you for the cause, but this one is already re-plated and soon going back in the car I am currently building. Sorry. I can carefully trace/measure the thickness and send that to you if it will help.

Your best bet is to call Dave Kleiner and see if he can help you. Good luck.


P.S. - Duane,
If I ever get the chance to ride in your 71, I'm going to have to sit in the back seat where there is obviously more leg room. :laugh:

 

Yeah, I am a schmuck... I just towed home the remnants of a 71 Lime Mist 350 4 speed car and after thinking about it, it had a bench originally and now someone has converted it to non Buick buckets(possibly Olds) and it had a 5335 shifter.Shifter was sold for over 500 bucks but the trans and pedals are still up for grabs...
James..Do you still want the 4 speed hole hump?? I pm'd George and he never returned an answer,so I am assuming he isn't interested.

 

Thank you all

I have a call into Dave Kleiner to request a shifter handle. The question still remains in my mind as to why HURST will not re-release this handle. I would think it's not that big a deal for them to stamp few hundred and sell them considering #1 the need, #2 they have the original design, #3 equipment and expertise..

In reference to Duane's comment I was concerned about the handle hitting the bench in second gear but I'm fortunate to be 6'2" and shouldn't have that problem.

Spoke to my friend about the Olds shifter and was told he could smooth out where the "H" is located on the lower area of the handle and possible stamp the letters HURST where they should be as per #5335.. If anything I'll have the "H" smoothed out and simply rechrome the handle.

Mike

 

3 speeds have the same handle so a 5335 is not just limited to 4 speeds.