4-Speed ID

[3XBrownCutty]

So i just realized i kinda want a manual trans and my friend had one sitting under his workbench ever since he tore his '78 'bird apart(which was only a few months ago) gave him $80 for it. after some quick research I believe its a Saginaw from the shape or the case.

Theres a casting that (from what i can make out) 6261883, and one came up on google with the same # on a sag... 3 levers, 4 speed. I'll get some pics up tomorrow. i think it was a steal. I just want to know exactly what i have here, so all you gear slammers chime in!

I have a chevy bellhousing too, anyone have an olds housing to trade? :lol:

 

[3XBrownCutty]

NOBODY!!!

 

[jrm81bu]

Doober, where ya at?

 

[3XBrownCutty]

hmmph.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Cast iron trans w/3 selector shafts on side cover is a Saginaw 4 speed. Very good trans for general duty, not for racing or 10,000 rpm dump-the-clutch burnouts. I used one behind a Pontiac 400 for many years and had no problems. $80 is a good price. Several first gear ratios available. How many "rings" on the input shaft? Mine has 3 "rings" and is a 3:50 to 1 which works great with my 2:78 rear end. I find 10 to 1 overall ratio (first gear X rear gear) excellent for taking off from a dead stop, no riding the clutch to get going. 78' should be 3:50 but may be 3:11 first, still good with a 3:23 rear.

 

[3XBrownCutty]

yeah, it has 3 levers. and i believe its iron. I remember reading about the "rings" but I dont think I saw any, but i'm not positive. I'll get some pictures when I get out of work here at 2 am...

Just looked it upand found this:
No Groves=
1st: 2.84
2nd: 2.01
3rd: 1.35
4th: 1.00

What gearing in the rear differential would be good with this trans then?

 

[3XBrownCutty]

 

[85olds4spd]

I ran a sag in my cutlass for years behind a 305 chevy and 373 rear. I actually went through a couple had a bearing go out in the first one. The speed may be off also but who needs that. The shifter you have on there will probably not work, it sits up to high.

 

[Bonnewagon]

# of grooves 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Notes:
0 2.85 2.02 1.35 1.00
1 2.56 1.81 1.37 1.00 Third gear on cluster has 25 teeth
1 2.56 1.81 1.44 1.00 Third gear on cluster has 21 teeth
2 3.11 2.20 1.47 1.00
3 3.50 2.48 1.65 1.00

*** The grooves are found on the input shaft. I am sure there are exceptions to this rule.


Here is a chart. Looks like a 3:11 which is OK. 3:23's would be dynamite but 3:08's would work too. As close to 10:1 overall makes for easy driving. That shifter is a good Hurst but the installation kit is for racing, hence the up-in-the-air mounting. The right one for a A/G body is available. Nice shower curtain retaining ring!

 

[3XBrownCutty]

i just so happens that I have a set of 323's ready to go in my posi differential 8)

So I can ust buy a different "mount" for the shifter and the linkage will still operate correctly?

Yeah I still havent touched the thing to remove the hokey sh*t on it lol. You should've seen the car. The guy kept saying he "trans ammed" it out. Turns out he turned it into a trans am by tack welding galvanized sheet metal to make side skirts, a front valance and a big spoiler. I never laughed so hard before. He took pride in his work though lol