Shifter Knob with Shift Pattern

shew01

shew01

Well-known member
I have 2 Model As. One is a Victoria, and the other is a Fordor. The Victoria has a Tremec T170 4 speed transmission, and the Fordor has a stock 3 speed transmission. So, “upper left” is either First gear or Reverse, depending on the car, and it’s easy to forget which one I’m driving.

Does anyone make a Model A-compatible shifter ball with the 3 speed shift pattern on it?


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I thought I saw this on Fordbarn, but maybe HAMB.

Toyota has this shift knob, p/n 33504-60021 with a 3 speed pattern on it

It has a M10-1.25 tapped hole and Ford shift levers are 5/16UNF. For an adapter, using a McMaster Carr 90259A141 5/16UNF x 7/16 insert, then drilling and tapping the knob would only enlarge the plastic insert knob hole by .044". I haven’t tried it, but I thought it might be of interest.

The Twisted ones may be cheaper and less work. I am torn because my brother made me wood knobs for the trans and OD, so it is tough to give them up.

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Muscle memory is good and bad, my daily modern 5 speed and stock A didn’t jive , when driving the A I would put it in reverse instead of first. May I suggest a different type of shifter handle ?! Once your hand covers the ball the pattern is covered and you need something else to remind yourself. A T handle comes to mind or maybe a pistol grip ? One other thing maybe a diagram on the windshield or dash rail would help ?
 
Trucks always had a map either on the dash,or over the windshield,(Macks)I was a mechanic for a pit owner,which meant I was a fill in guy too.Almost every day I would have to jump in a truck while a guy sat down to eat a sandwich.We had a straight 5,a 6 speed air shift,a 6 speed two stick,an 8 speed OD roadranger,a 12 speed,a 13 speed,a 15 speed,a B model with a quadruplex,and a 5X4 double over in an Autocar.As the only mechanic I thoroughly knew those trucks,but still had to look at the maps when I got in them.The hardest ones to remember were the overdrive trucks,the highest gear was up toward the dash,not rearward.
 
I have the Tremec 4-speed, where 4 is OD, haven't yet been able to find a shift knob with that pattern. Twisted web site is not very friendly.
 
Big hammer said:
Muscle memory is good and bad, my daily modern 5 speed and stock A didn’t jive , when driving the A I would put it in reverse instead of first. May I suggest a different type of shifter handle ?! Once your hand covers the ball the pattern is covered and you need something else to remind yourself. A T handle comes to mind or maybe a pistol grip ? One other thing maybe a diagram on the windshield or dash rail would help ?
Click to expand...


That’s may be a good idea too. Do you know of a supplier? I have no idea what the thread specs are for a stick Model A shifter.


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50 years ago, I installed a T handle on a floor shifter, the handle was from an auto parts store, the handle nor the threaded bushings worked, I found a short bolt that fit the handle and drilled and tapped the bolt
 
Get 2 pool balls and drill them to fit. This method would work on anything from a 1 speed EV all the way to a 16 speed semi.........
 

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