Chuck,
Interesting you want to revert back to the original slopply, non-positive shifter. I couldn't wait to get rid of the original shifter and replace it with a Hurst unit on my '66 High Performance Mustang top loader. Huge improvement. This is the same setup I have on my ERA toploader. The reverse lockout on the shifter in the ERA that operates a Hurst shifter is for maintaining the original looks, but for positive shifting. The positive lockout isn't needed because the reverse and 3-4 gates are spring loaded. To shift to reverse, you have to pull the shifter to the left or push to the right for the 3-4 gate. Let the shifter go while it's in neutral and the shifter lines up with the 1-2 gate.
By the way, the Mustang's original shifter is still residing in a box on the shelf in storage where it belongs. Except for needing new bushings after 25 years, the Hurst shifter works great.
