Shifter issues.

[Shorrock]

My old Hurst shifter I thought was getting long in the tooth so I ordered a new CSP curved shifter which does have a nice action. My first issue is that it sits nearly forward in neutral not straight and certainly not toward the rear. I expected it to curve toward the rear like my Hurst but it does not and I do not see any way of adjusting it any further back unless I want to literally open up the slots in the base plate. I am 6’3” so the seat is all the way back and it is uncomfortable to shift to third. The reach is just too long without a slight stretch. Second issue is that there is a subtle rattle in it unless you put your hand on it which the Hurst definitely did not. It already has a near new shaft bushing and rear coupling which I check thoroughly. Unlike my old Hurst there is no spring load in the design, it just sits there rattling in its plastic pivot block. I guess it is just time to return it and get one of the rebuild kits for the Hurst. Any experience with the Hurst rebuild kits? Any other thoughts?

[AlkanMM]

I am doing some "personalization" on my newly purchased '71 Convert. I'd like to install a short throw shifter, but have not found anything on the net. Any suggestions?

[Shorrock]

I regretfully returned the CSP shifter and have ordered a GB6710EB from Gene Berg which is a 12" curved with extra bend toward the rear. After measuring my original "Ghia" Hurst shifter carefully and talking with Al at Gene Berg this is the best that I can find to work in my Ghia with the seat all the way back. It will be a week or two before I can report on it as I have to wait for a plain non-engraved black ball to be made. Now if it only had the trigger pull instead of the knob button it would be perfect. It is really too bad that CSP does not make one that has a longer rear curve because it had great action, finger pull for reverse and a plain black ball, just like my Hurst but with shorter throw and much better action.

[AlkanMM]

Thank you so much for your kind reply. I checked out the Gene Berg site and have more to think about. BTW who\what is "CS" ???

Thanks

[Shorrock]

"CSP" is Custom Speed Parts out of the EU but they have dealers here in the US.

http://www.csp-shop.de/cgi-bin/cshop2/front/shop_main.cgi

http://www.vwparts.net/CSP711120112GL.html

[Shorrock]

My new Gene Berg shifter (12" with extra curve) just arrived and has been installed. The reach is great maybe even a bit better than the Hurst. As much as I liked the feel of the CSP I like the GB even better. It is perfect for the Ghia.

[bunkington]

Shorrock -

Thanks for posting. I have been thinking about a Berg shifter for a while now. Can I trouble you to post another pic? That ball looks huge, and I think it is just the image.

also - is that your original dash pad?

Peter

[Shorrock]

It is about 1/2" bigger, due to the reverse lock out button. Looks bigger in the pictures than it feels. As stated above wish it was a finger pull like the Hurst. My wife and I took it to dinner and I too thought it would be too big but I like the feel. You could also go for the "T" handle but I am a ball man.

Yes that is the original padded dash. For that matter everything! in the interior is original except the gages, EMPI wheel and shifter. It had been sitting in a barn since 78 and only had 22k miles on it when I got it. I have put another 15k on it the last few years.

[bunkington]

Thanks a bunch. I don't like the Tee shifters, prefer the ball shifters.

That does seem a bit large, though. How does it compare to the Hurst in terms of the shift action?

[Shorrock]

There is no comparison. The EB is very crisp with a much shorter throw. When installing it thought I had it setup wrong but the gates are just that close and positive. It was a lot of fun to drive.

[Shorrock]

Turns out I still had some noise from the shifter so thought I would pass this along:

Put in my new Berg 12" extra curve shifter and noise, noise, noise! I did not hear it with the Hurst shifter but then it is spring loaded. Bushing again?! this is the second time I have replaced it. The last time I thought I would kill myself and said never again. Well this time I gave it some thought and in less than an hour from start to finish, including waxing the nose since the bumper was off, did it by myself without any of the frustration of last time or asking for help from my wife (who also said she would not help again the last time). I took some 3/4 inch white PVC pipe cut it 6 feet and cut an angled slot 1/2 through 1/2 inch from the end and drilled a hole at the bottom of the slot. Slid the pipe in till I was butting up against the shifter rod and slip a piece of wire into the slot and tied it around the shifter rod head. Turned it 90 degrees and easily pulled it all the way out of the bushing. The old bushing was still installed but the front flange that holds the spring had cut through. Using my pipe I slid it right back in without a hang up. Installed the new coupling and done. The spring apparently helps reduce noise at least in my case because it is now gone even though the bushing itself was still supporting the shaft.

[one74ghia]

I'll be replacing my shifter as well - this will be very helpful.

There was a bushing that looked like this in the tunnel in the rear when I removed the linkage to drop the transaxle. Is there one like this at the shifter end and at the transmission end, or did it break apart and migrate all the way to the back of the car ? Maybe a mechanic or PO just didn't bother to reinstall?

[Shorrock]

There is only one bushing at the shifter. Someone did not bother to get an old one out of there or it is your current one where it is not supposed to be. The first one I replaced was in pieces in the tunnel as well but I did get them fished out.