Weird 53 Mercury Question

So I'm trying to replace the end knob on my column shift in my Monterey.
It's chewed up pretty bad and I wanna mount a stiletto handle in its place (yeah I know, give me **** for being rock a silly I can take it)

So I've looked the whole thing over, no set screw, no anything. I went at it with a pair of vice grips and couldn't get it to move. I'm starting to think they were pressure fit.

Does anyone out there know how the hell you get this thing off? I don't wanna take a hack saw too it but I might!

Jack

 

Most early shift knobs were heated and pressed onto the shift lever, no set screws, no pins.

Chisel.

 

Thanks man, I'm thinking thats my best bet.