Check your thread size before starting! The NP435 and NP203 shifters have 3/8-24 threads but it doesn't hurt to double check yours!!

Parts n Supplies:
Billiard ***** - I got mine at a swap meet for $1 each
1/2-inch steel rod
5-Minute Epoxy

Tools:
Center punch and hammmer
Grinder with a cut-off disc
Welder (It's easier if you have one)
Drill press and drill bits (1/2-inch is the biggest you'll need)
3/8-24 tap

1. Mount the rod in a vise and grind some notches with a cut-off wheel.
2. Now cut the rod into 1.25 -inch lengths.
3. Center punch one end of the slugs.
4. Tack-weld the slugs to a piece of scrap metal to hold the slugs such that the cut end is standing on end (See the pic below.)
5. Time to drill the holes. Work your way up to a 21/64 drill bit and drill a blind hole one inch deep.
6. Tap the blind holes with a 3/8-24 tap.
6. Cut off the slugs from the scrap metal holder and grind off the tack welds.
7. Mount the slugs in a vise and grind a slot length-wise on each slug. This is to let air/epoxy escape when they are installed.
8. Drill a 1/2-inch hole in the billiard ball directly on top of the number. Choose the "bad" face if it has one since it will be facing down.
9. Blow out the hole to remove the resin dust.
10. Mix a little bit of epoxy and dab it into the billiard ball and a little bit on the slugs' notches (from Step 1). The notches will help to adhere to the billiard ball.
11. Install the threaded slug into the billiard ball and tap in with a hammer. You could also press it in with a vise. Remember to protect the billiard ball with a piece of leather or similar.
12. Let it set up and install it on your shifter(s).

The parts:



Installed! Total time: 1 hour. Total cost per ****: About $1.25 !!



Confessions:
1. The yellow ball broke while pressing in the slug cuz I forgot to account to the 1/4" angle face on the drill bit. Ooops.
2. My blue #2 billiard ball is missing so I'll have a trivia contest to give away the red #3 ball. Stay tuned!!

 

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

 

I'd be perfectly happy if I could find the original ***** myself, but I gotta admit those came out pretty cool!

 

I just drilled and tapped the ball, (8 ball actually) holds threads perfectly fine.

Josh

 

Yep. That'll work too.

I wanted my version metal to metal. Hence, the tapped slugs.

 

You definitely took the long road. I used an 8-ball for my shifter in my old 4-speed Nova. I drilled and tapped the actual ball without any sleeve also. It's been like that for four years including street cruises and drag racing. It hasn't loosened up yet.

I like your style though. You're very thorough.

 

That's awesome; thanks for sharing these pictures.

 

theres more to it than i thought lol id just drill it out and tap it and put it on. but where i'm so rough on things i'd probably break it. but the metal sleeve is a pretty dang good idea

 

using the metal sounds a little better so you can line up the number . If it were just tappedwho knows where the angle on the number will be

 

true. well you could always take the original shift **** off and set it on the mount of the shifter and adjust the ball the way you want it and then mark it so you know how you want it to set

 

I was just thinking it would be hard to find the proper starting point for the tap

 

well yeah i guess so. and not cracking the ball when you started drilling it. what are them things made out of anyways?

 

put a nut on the threads first, put the shifter **** on, position it where you want it rotated to, then tighten the nut up towards the **** to lock it into place.

 

never thought of that way

 

Not to sound rude, but why do you think the original **** had a nut under it?????????LOL