Did Gm Factory install Hurst shifters in 1978??

[blk7gxn]

That would be an over the counter Comp Plus shifter since you have 2 bolts holding the lever on. As for it being a round stick most likely who ever installed it ordered a round stick to replace the flat one. Still there can still be possible that the round stick was original to the shifter. Not knowing when it went in (or even a very slim chance that Hurst did ship bolt on stick units to GM) it is hard to say how it all came together for your car.

Appreciate the knowledge you have and are sharing with me on it...Im learning 🙂 To my understanding, from the original owner, it came with the car as it was, and what your saying would make sense....Gm has done some crazy things in the past, and keeping good records is not one of them ! lol

 

[pagrunt]

When I did my conversion over 20 years ago the only info I had was what I could get printed from the Chevy parts departments to see what I had to track down. I was just learning to use the inner web to find parts. Atleast here there are several of us either by trial & error or just lucky enough to get one that already was a stick to be able to pass this info to others. We always need more members of the third pedal club.

 

[blk7gxn]

When I did my conversion over 20 years ago the only info I had was what I could get printed from the Chevy parts departments to see what I had to track down. I was just learning to use the inner web to find parts. Atleast here there are several of us either by trial & error or just lucky enough to get one that already was a stick to be able to pass this info to others. We always need more members of the third pedal club.

Couldn't agree more! I have been "G" body my entire life and am not new to the scene by any means, but this being my 1st standard shift car, I feel ignorant to say the least!...I'm usually the one sharing info and answering questions, not the one asking for it lol...appreciate all your help, and everyone else's too in this!

 

[gnvair]

Hurst does offer a reproduction round profile shifter handle with a bolt on provision for popular cars like late 60's GTO and 69 Camaro/Firebird.
They do not offer a reproduction of the 78-81 A body profile that I have seen.
So the car either has a non OEM handle or someone drilled the factory handle to bolt to the shifter; I have done this myself years ago with an ITM handle to a Competition Plus shifter. I have also seen guys damage the metal lock tabs on the factory shifter handle where the handle will no longer "lock" into the socket in the top of the mechanism. To rectify they will drill the shifter socket and handle to hold the handle in. There are already 2 dimples on the proper location to drill on the Hurst (the lower one on the ITM is too far down).

 

[blk7gxn]

Hurst does offer a reproduction round profile shifter handle with a bolt on provision for popular cars like late 60's GTO and 69 Camaro/Firebird.
They do not offer a reproduction of the 78-81 A body profile that I have seen.
So the car either has a non OEM handle or someone drilled the factory handle to bolt to the shifter; I have done this myself years ago with an ITM handle to a Competition Plus shifter. I have also seen guys damage the metal lock tabs on the factory shifter handle where the handle will no longer "lock" into the socket in the top of the mechanism. To rectify they will drill the shifter socket and handle to hold the handle in. There are already 2 dimples on the proper location to drill on the Hurst (the lower one on the ITM is too far down).View attachment 107019

Thanks for this info!! Really appreciate it!! Ill get a few pics tonight and post them up so i can solve this mystery lol 🙂

 

[pagrunt]

The Hurst round stick I picked up a few years back matched the bend profile of the flat one that it replaced. Hurst discontinued it when they started to clean up the catalog of low demand/sales items. Regardless it does look better than the flat stick that Comp Plus shifters came with.

 

[blk7gxn]

Here are the pictures I promised of the Shifter in question In my 1978 Buick Century Sport Coupe. There is no ITM on the shifter base, and it appears to be the Hurst base BUT has the bolts not the clip to hold the handle on.???

 

[gnvair]

Got a picture of the entire handle AND the right side of the pocket the handle slips into? From what I see so far it looks like a factory one that someone drilled.

 

[blk7gxn]

Got a picture of the entire handle AND the right side of the pocket the handle slips into? From what I see so far it looks like a factory one that someone drilled.

Just added 2 more pics! 🙂

 

[blk7gxn]

Got a picture of the entire handle AND the right side of the pocket the handle slips into? From what I see so far it looks like a factory one that someone drilled.

Appreciate your help!