Shifter Adjustment

As a follow-up of the reconditioning of the Toploader and the Hurst shifter, the shifter needed to be attached to the gearbox and have the shift shafts adjusted. A new set of Hurst Pit Pack with steel shifter bushings and spring clips was available, purchased and the shafts attached with new bushings.

Shift shafts with new bushings and clips

The shifter was then attached to the tailhousing and the shifter was aligned and locked to the neutral position. At this point the gear box is in neutral as well.

Shifter aligned with the 8 mm bar

Then, one by one, I adjusted the nuts so that they fit on the middle of the shift lever opening. This takes a couple of rotate-and-trys until the correct position is found.  No need to install bushings and spring clips until they all have been adjusted.

Easiest way is to adjust 3-4 shaft first and then remove it

All of the shafts positioned correctly

The bushing was greased

And secured with a spring clip

All three installed

All the three shafts were finally adjusted and secured with spring clips. The final stage is to adjust the limiting screws. This is done by engaging the third gear and tightening the rear adjusting screw so that it touches the shifter plate tenderly. Then the fourth gear is engaged and the front adjusting screw in tightened likewise.

Fourth gear engaged

Done

Now start shifting gears ! All the forward gears worked fine when tested. With the gearbox on the table engaging the reverse was more tricky as the whole box tried to turn left when shifting. I think that it helps to engage reverse by engaging the first gear, then returning to neutral and finally to reverse.