Okay, so the repro Muncie shifter kit is garbage, if available. I am looking at a Hurst Competition Plus shifter from Jegs. Here's the question. I just bought a 1968 Muncie M-20 (1" pin). My car is a '65. Should the shifter and installation kit match the car or the transmission? I'm thinking that it should match the car. But, I have a vague recollection that the levers which attach to the transmission are not interchangeable from year to year. Maybe, the installation kit should match the transmission. Advice please!!!!

Okay, so the repro Muncie shifter kit is garbage, if available. I am looking at a Hurst Competition Plus shifter from Jegs. Here's the question. I just bought a 1968 Muncie M-20 (1" pin). My car is a '65. Should the shifter and installation kit match the car or the transmission? I'm thinking that it should match the car. But, I have a vague recollection that the levers which attach to the transmission are not interchangeable from year to year. Maybe, the installation kit should match the transmission. Advice please!!!!

The installation kit (levers, arms, rods, etc.) is the same from Hurst for the Comp Plus for 64-68 Muncie trans. The shifter tower assembly is different. Unless Hurst has changed part numbers, you'll need:
373 3163 Installation Kit (64-68)
391 7308 Shifter assembly (64-67)

Just to make sure, the transmission year, for 63-68 the shift arms attach with a nut to a stud coming off the side cover, for 69 and later the shift arms attach with a bolt going into the side cover. This is true for M20/M21/M22 series.

1968 is an odd-ball year, if you will, for Hurst Comp Plus. Same install kit as 64-67 and same shifter kit as 69-72.

OK, here is the deal. Muncies, 63-68 used side levers with a "short" slot and 69-74 side levers used the "long" slot. The 63-68 shifter shafts had a stud (with a flat on each side) and the side levers were attached with a nut and washer. The 69-74 shifter shafts had a threaded hole into the shaft and the side levers were attached with a bolt. Thus, the shifter itself needs to be for the CAR, but the installation kit (which includes the side levers with the appropriate slot) need to be for the year model tranny.
In your particular case, since your Muncie is a 68 and your car is a 65, just order shifter/installation kit for a 65.
Now, as you know, there is frequently an exception to every rule. IF AT SOMETIME IN THE PAST YOUR 68 MUNCIE GOT REBUILT AND ONE, TWO OR ALL THREE SHIFTER SHAFTS (63-68 STYLE) GOT REPLACED WITH A 69-74 SHIFTER SHAFT, THEN YOU WILL NEED A SIDE LEVER(S) FOR THE CORROSPONDING SHIFTER SHAFT. Hurst does sell individual parts for their shifters.
Hope this helps.

Sorry, I read the year of car as a 68 - you have a 65 w/68 transmission. You need installation kit #391 7308 along with the shifter kit #373 3163 - or, as Tom said, just get a setup for the 65 and you'll be fine.

Thanks Dale and Tom. This is very helpful. The transmission does have the stud and nut set up.