will this trans be a direct replacement for my 3 speed saginaw?
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/2509603963.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/2509603963.html
4 speed saginaw
- Thread starter kuruption109
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That looks like a nice clean trans,probably a V-8 model, but you should be careful of the ratio. A 2:54 first gear will need some help with rear gears to get rolling, even with a V-8. I prefer the 3:11 or 3:50 first so I can use highway gears out back for good cruising rpm's. By multiplying your first gear and rear gear you get your overall ratio. I like around 10:1 for easy takeoffs, no riding the clutch. For example 3:11 X 3:23 gets you 10.453. I used this set up with a Pontiac 400 and all I had to do was slip my foot off the clutch and she was rolling. Great in traffic, and got 16 mpg.
^^^What he said^^^. They aren't quite as tough as Muncies but they will take plenty of power if you aren't abusive. I've run several with no failures. The only broken ones I've fixed/seen were from dumping the clutch while not fully engaged into reverse.
I just noticed something. That is an old model and does not have the flat section to accommodate the "A" and "G" body shifters which are mounted more forward than other models. See the tailhousing? The shifter can only mount there and is not a problem for an "F" body, but in our cars, you would interfere with the bench seat and/or console if so equipped. To use this trans you would need to move the shifter hole in the floor rearward 6" at least. But we've been over this many times, yes? So if you want to directly replace your 3 speed with this one, stock everything, no it won't work. BUT, if you are handy and are willing to move your shifter hole back, yes, this one will work. Here's a pic that I'm sure you've seen before and shows the shifter arrangement and where the holes end up being. See where the shifter mounts? Now look at the one in the ad. That HUGE hole is the result of having to move the shifter forward where it belongs.
Nice catch! I didn't realize there was another style rear case until you brought it up and I looked into it. So there are 5 styles that I know of now:
1. Early round style with no shifter mount holes at all.
2. Later round style with shifter mount holes.
3. Later round style with shifter mount holes and torque arm mount at the bottom.
4. Later flat-side style (for Gbody).
5. Later flat-side style with torque arm mount.
Are there any more?
1. Early round style with no shifter mount holes at all.
2. Later round style with shifter mount holes.
3. Later round style with shifter mount holes and torque arm mount at the bottom.
4. Later flat-side style (for Gbody).
5. Later flat-side style with torque arm mount.
Are there any more?
I'm not even sure what mine qualifies as. The guy at the swap meet said it was in a Monte Carlo roundy-round car, but I'm sure it didn't come stock. See the "U" bolt I had to rig so the shifter mount could bolt up? There was only one hole for the mount and a bunch on the other side, maybe for like the 80's 3rd gen "F" cars that mounted the shifter on the passenger side and the torque arm mounted on the driver's side. It had the flat side we use and a GM "mystery shifter" but I used a Hurst Competition Plus with correct installation kit for obvious reasons.
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