Shift knobs

[Gunner]

My ERA came with the replica Long shifter and the correct 4-speed pattern shift knob. The knob looks great but I found that even a half hour of shifting started to hurt my hand... the ball is too small and there's too many angular edges in the wrong places.

So, for daily driving at least, I decided to install a 2" ball knob with the correct 5-speed pattern. The problem there is that while most Long shifters have the 7/16 thread, this one is so authentic that it uses the original 1/2. I couldn't find a shift knob with all the right features, so I crossed my fingers and ordered a 7/16 knob from Jegs, hoping I could find a correct size insert or drill it or something.

It turns out that the Jegs line of knobs has a 5/8 insert with an aluminum bushing to reduce it to the common sizes. It was no particular trouble to drill out the 7/16 insert and tap it to 1/2-20. (It would have been easier if I could get to my bench tools, but I did with with hand tools in not too much longer...)

I superglued the bushing in place in the knob insert and voila, a big fat comfortable shift knob with the correct pattern. I can row that sucker all day without any pain, and it doesn't look particularly out of place for the era.

My remaining problem is finding a suitable jam nut. I have a 1/2 inch hex jam nut (thinner than a standard nut), which works and looks okay if a bit industrial. I tried drilling and tapping a thick chrome washer but the threads came out poorly... trying to safely clamp the chrome piece and get a clean start on the tap was a failure. I may try again if I can't find something off the shelf. It might also be an approach to drill and tap the knob for a setscrew.

I plan to put the original knob back on for show. But I'm pleased with this semi-original mod.

What shift knob have you found suitable?