ORIGINAL ALUMINUM HURST T HANDLE TUTORIAL REFERENCE

[shelbyboss302]

In this tutorial I am going to show how you can tell the difference between a factory aluminum Hurst T handle and a reproduction one. All 1970 Mustang 4 speed cars be it a Boss 429, 428 CJ, Boss 302 or what have you, if it had the 4 speed toploader gear box then it came with the Hurst aluminum T handle and they all had a hole drilled to accept an Allen key to lock the T handle on to the chrome Hurst shifter handle 7275. Some argue that their original T handles never had this hole for the set screw but in fact it did have one when the car left the factory. The same goes with the Hurst Chrome Shifter handle (7275), many argue this point also but when in fact it too was on the car when it left the factory. There also seems to be an ongoing argument about the closed 4 or the open four and I personally believe they all came with open 4 but maybe someone can chime in and clear that up. You have to remember that these cars are 43 years old and then add to the equation of how many owners one car had over the years, how many of these T handles were stolen from unlocked cars, how many owners tossed their originals and replaced them with white or black billiard balls from the local Pool Hall down the street then you get the picture. With today’s technology, reproduction T handles are getting better and better but there are still a few subtle differences between the both of them and I will try my best to show them to you.














HERE IF YOU FOLLOW THE CONTOURS ON THE TOP OF THE HANDLES YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE


REPRODUCTION


REPRODUCTION


REPRODUCTION IN SEALED PACKAGE AND CLAIMED TO BE NOS ORIGINAL


REPRODUCTION


REPRODUCTION

[69boss]

Nice work.  I will be taking my laptop out to the garage tomorrow a.m.

[app01]

Great job! Thanks for sharing that. Very helpful.

[noboss]

If you want you can add this photo , thanks for the info.



So this bottom Handle looks like a re-pop to me , based on your info.

[MD69Boss]

Appreciate the knowledge drops, thanks a lot!
Like others, I will be headed out to the garage this evening to check on things...

[Winner70ta]

Very interesting and great info.  Now someone correct me if I am wrong, but for 1971 - 1973 didn't those Hurst T handles lose the side set screw?  I wonder if the alignment as displayed in the NOS pics also apply to the original '71 - '73 handles?
Bob

[noboss]

Yes the set screw was 1970 only.

[Bossboy302]

Nicely done!

It still amazes me that if someone is taking the time and making the effort/investment to reproduce a specific item, that in this era of cad-cam and 3-D digital mapping they can end up so far off. Brian

[T-Handle]

Now you guys know where my forum name came from. Still have my original " T Handle" as well. Good article.

[BOSS-STANG]

It still amazes me that if someone is taking the time and making the effort/investment to reproduce a specific item, that in this era of cad-cam and 3-D digital mapping they can end up so far off.

I've always asked that question and could never figure out why they don't. Just seems really dumb. But it might have something to do with the copy right laws. Imagine if they did make DNA copies of certain parts. We all know originals are worth more than repops. They could then be able to sell repops as NOS originals. I don't ravish the thoughts of paying $350 for a $15 repop part. 

[shelbyboss302]

NOBOSS, I added one of your reproduction T-handle pictures and compared it to an original T-handle. Another way to tell the difference that I forgot to mention earlier in my post is that if you look at the contours of the real one and then look at the reproduction one then you can see the differences in the grip of the handle. Thanks

                                                       Shelby

                                          

[ex2409pilot]

Thanks for taking the time to give us a lesson. Do you or anyone else know an effective way to restore one. I have used steel wool but now the handle rubs black oxidation? off on my hand...

[RadBOSS]

A nice permanent home for these documentaries would be in the technical section.  Seems to be a neglected location these days.

http://www.boss302.com/techmenu.htm

[T-Handle]

Very interesting and great info.  Now someone correct me if I am wrong, but for 1971 - 1973 didn't those Hurst T handles lose the side set screw?  I wonder if the alignment as displayed in the NOS pics also apply to the original '71 - '73 handles?
Bob

The T Handle was replaced in 72 by the round and black knob.

[bossneeds]

You made me go out and look at mine. These are great references for those looking for the correct parts. Thanks for sharing.

No paint left and it looks a bit worn for 13K miles.

[JohnSlack]

Thanks for taking the time to do this tutorial.  I was able to verify the one that is on my 1970 Boss 302 is the real deal.

[b.guggenmos]

Another Thank You for a very good article. As others said I will also be looking at mine this weekend. Brian

[russellsam]

It truly is amazing to compare the original and repro parts side by side.
A buddy and i have been doing this or many years and have learnt so much.
There is just so many of them.
Great post
thanks

[bossduke]

Were the T handles sold as after market by Hurst back in that day just like the '70 handles they provided Ford?

Were the shifters the same Competition Plus of that day, but with Ford rods?

Thanks for the great info. I still have my original '69 Ford shifter put away, but when I saw the '70 set up and had missed a couple of shifts with the original shifter, I upgraded to the Hurst after market parts in 1970. Never been sorry for that. Maybe when Parnelli broke his Ford shifter twice in 1969 Trans Am races (costing them the championship), Ford figured out they had a problem! Fulmer never broke his 'cause he used a Hurst both seasons. Just took Parnelli a couple of DNF's to get clued in. LOL

Mike

[McKeever]

The aftermarket Hurst shifters are completly different (read that as far superior) than the factory Ford units.

One of the main differences is the shifter body, the aftermarket has an adjustable stop bolt for each "throw", add to that the threaded rods and the aftermarket is a much more precise unit.
Shifting between the 2 is a day and night difference.

[JohnSlack]

The aftermarket Hurst shifters are completly different (read that as far superior) than the factory Ford units.

One of the main differences is the shifter body, the aftermarket has an adjustable stop bolt for each "throw", add to that the threaded rods and the aftermarket is a much more precise unit.
Shifting between the 2 is a day and night difference.

I have the original FoMoCo Hurst shifter for the 1970 Boss 302and have an aftermarket Hurst shifter for the 1969. Unlike Parnelli I was not stuck on the factory unit for 1969. But he was far greater than I could ever imagine being as far as driving skills. PJ is the man.