Shifter
 

I'm trying to replace the shift lever boot on my 65 4 speed. The previous owner put on an incorrect boot and cut it to get it over the gear shift lever. I'm having a hard time figuring out how to get the T-shaped piece that allows you to shift into reverse off of the lever. The boot must slide over the top of the lever because the bottom portion is welded on. I'm also a little nervous about messing up the linkage. The linkage is already a little suspect since I cannot downshift from 4 to 3. I have to go from 4 to 2 to 3 to do that downshift.

Just in case anyone was wondering. I didn't dismantle the shift lever for the fear of not being able to reassemble. I was able to stretch the boot enough to clear the knob. It made a big difference in the tightness of the shifting.

Refer OEM shifter questions to Mark at www.toploaderheaven.com He rebuilds the many models of OEM and Hurst OEM four-speed shifters and knows them inside out.