Buddy got this trans in a 49 Jeepster, but doesn't think it's Jeep (floor wasn't cut for this). Shifter definately isn't. But what is it? Wirth hanging onto? I had two shots, but the closer-up is blurry. The shifter says "mister shifter" on the side of it. Some numbers on the bottom too - old aftermarket I guess.
It might be the Jeepster trans. If memory serves, the early Jeepsters (as opposed to the more Jeep like '60s models) were column shift. Maybe somebody bought the floor-shift conversion for it but never got around to installing it - hence the uncut floor. I'll bet that Jeepsters in that era used the good Borg-Warner T85 box (as used in Studebaker and Ford products, later spawning the T10 4-speed), so that 3-speed is probably a decent one. -Dave
The T85s had a nine bolt side cover like the T10 four speeds that came after. This one looks like a T86, its weaker cousin that was used in many '50s cars, six cylinder Studebakers being one of them, and that's definitely a Hurst mystery shifter. Wire brush the grunge off of the main case, and you'll find a "T 86" on there somewhere.
Is that shifter specific to this trans, or can I stash it for my A? I wouldn't object to running a T85 if I can find a decent one somewhere. I think by then I was tired enough my eyes played tricks on me, because it does say Mystery, not mister. Thanks -
Mister shifter was actually an aftermarket floor shift conversion kit from the sixties. It was marketed thru Sparkomatic, makers of cb radios and 8 tracks. How do I know, I received a mister shifter kit, still in the display box with receipt from '65, as a gag gift at a car club Christmas party 15 years ago. It's been re-gifted several times.......
thats a fact on the Mister Shifter. I alway called mine "Missed your Shifter" but after buying four other brands, the 19.95 fits all Mister Shifter got linkage that would fit my old ford
From the pic and what info I gleaned from the posts, it is a Hurst / Campbell Mystery Shifter, not a Sparkomatic Mr. Shifter. Sparkomatic never used a cover on the shift mechanisim, and Hurst was the only company that used a "compression fitting" to hold the round stick in place. With numbers from the mounting plate, rods, etc. I should be able to tell you what the trans was in being Hurst / Campbell was pretty much kit specific.
Also, ( forgot this ) on the T-86 Trans, it should be a 6 bolt top cover. Buick Specials 61-63 used these as well as the Olds F-85's.
If it says Mister Shifter its along the same lines as a Sparkmatic. They were markested by the likes of JC Whitney and wally world, k mart ect later '60s early '70s.
Gang - Maybe we should start a thread about bad shifters. I bet there would be a lot of stories here. I had a "universal" Spark-O-Matic shifter on my '50 fastback (see avitar) when I first got it. I bought the thing from the local salvage yard for $9.95 (my budget at the time - the Hurst three-speed units were $39.95 then). Anyway, after I messed with it for a few hours, without success (but about a half-dozen skinned knuckles), and finally lost patience with it, my old man took over and got it working. I remember his advice afterward. "When a car part is labeled "universal", that means it can probably be made to fit anything, but that it actually fits nothing." Anyone who got parts from J.C. Whitney, Western Auto, Pep Boys, etc, back in the '50s and '60 can relate. As soon as I saved up a few bucks, I put in a Hurst.
thia is as good a place as any !!!had the t-10 put back in the AMX when i was bout 15..couldnt go into 4th for nuthin..dad messed with it and realized there was a rock in it... so cleaned it and the mud dobber nest out and she worked great...till the motor blew!!!
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