4 Speed Times: Hurst Shifter Rebuild How-to Video
January 3, 2010 by pikesan
Do your choices for how you build your own ride need to make sense? To everyone?
I’m sure there’s more than a few people who’d say I’m nuts for putting a Dagenham 4-speed back into my 1963 Falcon Wagon project. I hear you. But, I’ve got my reasons.
The main reason is the fact my Falcon’s a rare (or maybe odd’s a better word) bird. This long-roofed wonder’s an original, 6 cylinder, bench seat, floor shift, 4 speed car. I’ve found one other goofy-six-by-four on Fordsix.com but just one! I like that! (have you got one?)
The other big reason (no, friends that know me, it’s not just cause I’m a cheap SOB) involves some great memories and even better, life-long friends.
The Dagenham four speed and shifter that I’m rebuilding here is from my dad’s friend Brad Bradly or “Harry” as his friends know him. This shifter’s from his 1963 “shop truck” Falcon Ranchero that he still owns. That Ranchero’s been built, raced, totaled, re-built, raced, modified, raced again, totaled again… you get the idea! Now, this car’s running a tri-carbed Offenhauser setup on a 250 sixer. It’s nicer than it’s ever been and still a cherished ride, even along side his black on black 1963 Falcon V8, bucket seat, 4 speed car. (Brad’s working on sending a picture to include in this story.)
So there won’t be a T5, 5-speed upgrade to my Falcon. Those T5’s would be better in alot of ways, but I just can’t do it. Furthermore, the discolored and scratch shift-ball and pitted and worn Hurst stick will also be staying. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Hurst Competition Plus 4 speed shifter rebuild Video Part 1
Hurst Competition Plus 4 speed shifter rebuild Video Part 2
Helpful? Sucked? I’d like to hear either way. I’m no expert here, but did want to pass on what I learned. Leave a comment with any good info you have too!
Love it, that’s quite the shifter assembly. Geez! I love these how-to videos, we need more of this.
Thank you! This video helped me a lot, trying to rebuild the shifter for my Muncie, I’m glad I found this walkthrough. Nice work, I really appreciate the tips and tricks.
Thanks for making this video! Extremely helpful and detailed enough to make the job a piece-of-cake!
Hello, thanks for putting this video out on assembly of a hurst shifter. It will definetly go
better. It`s for a 65 lemans.
Joel
Hi!
Thanks for putting out this video. I found it very helpful.
Bill
I’m very happy these videos helped someone! I’ve been very lucky to have my pops supporting me with all the MANY things I didn’t understand. I hope I’m giving back some of what he gave me.
Hi , I have a 64 ranchero with a 200 six with tri-power , headers and some Clifford internal parts. It also has the Dagenham 4 speed trans. I would like to add a hurst shifter. I watched your video , it was very good. I’m not sure if the shifter you used is a modified hurst shifter or one for a borg warner transmission of that era. Could you tell me what I need to buy to make the swap—Thanks Paul
Hi Paul,
I wish I knew the info you need. I am nearly 100% sure the shifter I have is for a Dagenham because it was purchased back in the late 60’s when they were easy to find. I’m sure you read the history with the shifter. The shifter my dad and I used,from a top-loader 4 speed, to help put mine back together was VERY similar in design, but then the mounting block was different and I didn’t spend much time checking the shifter lever arm lengths. They were probably different too. Did you contact Hurst?