Topic: 4 speed shifter handle identification?

[silverton_ford]

This weekend I was looking at some 4 speed shifters that a friend has.   He had four sitting there and they all had different handles.  They were all similar, but had small variances. (One I will rule out because it had vise marks on it and was probably bent for a different project).  Some had the bend lower on the handle and some where higher up.  Also the bend was more of an arc versus a sharp angle.  They all had the same reverse lockout parts found on 64.5-67 cars, so I am not confusing them with later years.  These don't have part numbers, so it is difficult to look them up in the parts book.   They all had 4-speed toploader shifter boxes and rods with them too.  They were all similar in height and not tall like Fairlane or Galaxie.   Sorry, I didn't take any pictures.  I can take a photo of the one I took home later this evening if that helps.....it came from a 66 GT350 years ago and I was hoping it will be right for my 66 Convertible.

Is there some place that shows pictures of what years had what from 64.5, 65, 66 and 67?  Did they have different shifters for console cars versus non-console (like Galaxies did)? 

I did a search on this site and didn't find what I was looking for (might have overlooked it, but I did try to find something).

Thank you, Brian

[J_Speegle]

Is there some place that shows pictures of what years had what from 64.5, 65, 66 and 67?  Did they have different shifters for console cars versus non-console (like Galaxies did)? 

Never heard nor seen of any different ones by application nor recall the replacement (in the  MPCs) that suggest there were

I did a search on this site and didn't find what I was looking for (might have overlooked it, but I did try to find something).

Don't believe it has been brought up in the past but now it has    Lets see what the discussion takes us

[Bob Gaines]

This weekend I was looking at some 4 speed shifters that a friend has.   He had four sitting there and they all had different handles.  They were all similar, but had small variances. (One I will rule out because it had vise marks on it and was probably bent for a different project).  Some had the bend lower on the handle and some where higher up.  Also the bend was more of an arc versus a sharp angle.  They all had the same reverse lockout parts found on 64.5-67 cars, so I am not confusing them with later years.  These don't have part numbers, so it is difficult to look them up in the parts book.   They all had 4-speed toploader shifter boxes and rods with them too.  They were all similar in height and not tall like Fairlane or Galaxie.   Sorry, I didn't take any pictures.  I can take a photo of the one I took home later this evening if that helps.....it came from a 66 GT350 years ago and I was hoping it will be right for my 66 Convertible.

Is there some place that shows pictures of what years had what from 64.5, 65, 66 and 67?  Did they have different shifters for console cars versus non-console (like Galaxies did)? 

I did a search on this site and didn't find what I was looking for (might have overlooked it, but I did try to find something).

Thank you, Brian

I don't believe that there was a special Mustang handle for console vs non console. I believe you are seeing some of the evolution of the Mustang handle from when it was first introduced through the end of 1967 production.

[midlife]

Somewhere in the deep recesses of my memory, I read (on the 'Net, of course!) that the very early Mustang had a shifter that was either more bent or less bent than what was found in the 65/66 production run.  Can anyone confirm?

[silverton_ford]

I may have found part of my answer.    According to Vintage Ford Manual Shifters on ebay there are a 64.5 shifter and a 65-67 shifter.

64.5 shifter:  https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-1964-1-2-Mustang-Original-4-Speed-Shift-Handle/163031719271?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

65-67 shifter: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Original-1965-67-Mustang-4-Speed-Shifter-Handle-Used-Functional-Rechrome/163064998048?hash=item25f76e68a0:g:pYgAAOSwEXBa2lNo

Are these the only two 4 speed shifter handles for 64.5-67 Mustangs?  The 64.5 handle looks like it has more of an angle bend where the 65-67 has more of an arc bend.

Jeff and Bob:  Thank you for the confirmation on the console vs. non-console ....that helps eliminate a lot of confusion.  :-)

[mgmradio]

There are in fact 2 different manual shifter lever. The early straight bend one and the curved one. The straight one is not 64.5 specific though. It was carried over like many other early attributes. My Aug 64 coupe has one. Don't know when they were finally phased out.

[Hipo giddyup]

The angled (64 1/2 - early65?) 4 spd shifter is also angled like three speed applications , of course with the 3 spd missing the T reverse lock-out. (Slightly off topic). The 65?- through 67 shifters are curved similarly for 3 and 4 speed applications.

My 64’ June, Dearborn built Mustang has the angled 3 spd handle, of course different than the later curved handles. Question is, when did these change over and did the 3 and 4 speed applications coincide???

[CharlesTurner]

If anyone has ever noticed the service part numbers for 65-67 4sp shift handles, I believe the last one either ended in a -E or -H.  Could indicate minor revisions, although as mentioned, the 2 main differences are the early 64.5 and later style.

[silverton_ford]

Thank you for the replies.  This is a lot of help.

As I start working on my convertible, I will have many more questions.  Thankfully the search feature answered quite a few questions about seat belts and heaters last night.   

[Bossbill]

I have 3 shifter handles.
Two do not have black plastic bushings.
One does.

Any idea what this is all about?

[Bob Gaines]

I have 3 shifter handles.
Two do not have black plastic bushings.
One does.

Any idea what this is all about?

The black O ring is a buffer to keep the part from vibrating/rattling.

[Bossbill]

I phrased it badly. Let's try again.
Are these supposed to be on all years of these handles?
Most handles I see do not have these bushings.

[67350#1242]

I think they all had the bushings when new.  The plastic  seems to become brittle and break away over time.

[Bob Gaines]

I think they all had the bushings when new.  The plastic  seems to become brittle and break away over time.

They did all have them when they were new from the factory. Yes some did become brittle enough to break and disappear however for the longest time later service replacements and repros were made without that detail. I think the repro people copied the last version of the service part. I think all of the repros are being made with the bushing again but it would be prudent to double check as I don't keep up with repro parts.

[Bossbill]

Of course the shifter with the bushings was modified and has metric threads.
I could use these tips to change them
https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=11099.0

Or buy yet another shift handle.