Has anyone used a factory console with a Doug Nash 5spd? Shifter is a little off center. If so how did you get it to work.

I made an adapter to move the stick over on a Richmond 5 speed with Hurst shifter. It worked on my 67, and on a buddies 69 Z/28.
Some photos on my web page: http://www.pozziracing.com/richmond_transmission_swap.htm

How far over does it have to go? A stock 69 Hurst shifter has a 1" offset and a straight stick (not including the bend to put it in your hand). That allows the stick to be centered in the console. .... BTW, I have a stock Hurst shifter (no offset) and a Hurst shifter handle with a 1" offset that equates to the same thing. (You cant see the offset as its below the shift boot.) I believe this setup is OEM GM because there are not adjustable stops in the Hurst shifter itself, but I dont know what it originally came in. I dont know if they still make that stick. I checked mine for a part number, but its no longer readable. If you would like a picture of the offset shift stick, send me an email: arocars@yahoo.com.

I have done this conversion on a 68 Camaro. I took apart the shifter that came with the 5 speed and also took apart the Hurst Comp Plus that was in the car with the 4 speed, and then used the original upper offset portion out of the 4 speed shifter. All the shifter arms are reversed on the 5 peed shifter and the upper handle mount is turned 180* also. I had to cut off the offset portion on the original 68 4 speed Hurst shifter and turn it 180* so the offset was correct to the pass side of the car for the consol. Tigged it all back together with a small gusset and it worked GREAT. It posistioned the shifter perfectly with the 5 speed bracket, and the handle hite was Good also. I used a turbo 400 X member and welded some small tabs on the front of the outside and redrilled it so it bolted into the Camaro subframe.

JD,

I designed a shifter mounting bracket that puts your shifter unit in the correct location to be used in a 1st gen car with a console. In addition to that, you only need to fabricate a small block as a spacer/shim to move the shifter arm about 3/4 to 1" toward the passenger side of the car. It worked beautifully for me. I made both parts out of billet aluminum.

Dave's website is also excellent, and totally recommend following his mods to the case and shifter arms. However, I didn't weld a tab onto my TH400 bracket - I just drilled straight through and followed up with a step drill on the underside to allow tool clearance. Not as strong perhaps, but fine for street use. I also didn't do any welding to the shifter unit. I fabbed a square block and drilled two holes straight through. Got some longer bolts and placed the spacer block between the shifter and the handle - and voila!!

If interested, drop me a line and I can send you the drawing of the bracket

PS - Dave, you're welcome to add it to your website if interested :-)