Stupid hurst shifter and reverse....HELP!
 

I recently purchased an '88 Notch and it's equipped with a Hurst shifter than for some reason does NOT wanna go into reverse without grinding like crazy! I've tried babying it as much as possible and no matter what I do, the stupid thing keeps grinding....

Would switching back to a stock shifter solve my problem? Oh, and does anyone wanna trade? :D

That is a common T-5 problem....I have to go up to 5th and then down to reverse.

Plus I have heard that the hurst shifter is a POS...."No Flames"

Later,

I have no complaints with my Hurst....

You're problem is not the shifter. Like Dark_5.0 said, it's a common T-5 problem. Try sticking it into a different gear before going into reverse. I usually go into first and then to reverse (leaving the clutch in the whole time).

I don't like my Hurst....I dislike the shifter "ball" knob even more. I just ordered a Hurst shifter handle that looks like it'll be more comfortable. I'm not getting rid of it till I get a tremec. Sometimes my Hurs gets tempermental.....and I need to put it in 1st and then reverse.

I have the B+M Ripper and i have never had any problems with grinding reverse or anything.

I have the stock shifter and every once in a while it will grind going into reverse. Ive heard numerous people say thats a T-5 problem not a shifter problem. I usually shift to first and then reverse and it works perfectly.

You do know that there are at least SEVERAL very different models (shifter AND handle) correct? Some look like a chopped stock shifter, and others (like Matt's) look like some wierd *** truck shifter from hell :D My Hurst was ok, but I, too had problems occasionally with reverse.


I think he asked about the HURST, not a B & M...

I agree try the 5th to reverse method... reverse uses the same synchros as 5th.

i have had the same prob with all the 5spd fords i have owned it started with my first escort gt and i got into the habit of throwing it in second then reverse and i do that now pretty much every time i drive any 5spd car people think its weird but i never grind reverse

I like the 5th then reverse trick. Every stang with a T5 i ever drove did the same thing.

its not the shifter, its the tranny. the 5th to Reverse doesnt work for me. i have to do 4th to Reverse. as for different Hursts, she is right. i bought mine used. mine is the cast base but with the spring 2-3. my friend has the exact same shifter, but his doesnt have the 2-3 spring. i ask the Mororso guy at Ford Motorsports Nationals about the different styles. he said the made a total of 6 for the T-5! mine is the least common. most that have mine have the competition whicn is my shifter with a billet aluminum base. i love my Hurst. i have tested B&M, Pro 5.0, and Mac. in my opinion the Hurst works the best. my other choice would be the Pro 5.0

to answer your question Matt, yes is normal for a little grinding. it sounds like to me that your clutch is out of adjustment or you need a new clutch. remember, reverse gear is a straight cut gear, so it will grind easier than the forward gears which are helical. i hope its not the tranny! good luck!

by the way, when are we going to see pics of the "NOTCH"?

Hmmm, I actually happen to have a FOrd Heavy Duty lying around my house from when I bought it for Belle's car. Maybe I should install that badboy and see if it works. After all, the clutch is almost 2-3 years old.

As soon as I recharge the battery for the digital camera, I'll load some pics for you guys. :D I gotta warn you though, right now......she AIN'T purdy......LOL