Does anyone know the lengths of 55-64 chevy (car)3spd manual transmissions(open drive,with or without car bellhousing)?? I did find out that a 55-57 3 spd and 3 spd O/D are the same lengths(whatever that measurement is)? Is a 58-64 3spd the same length as 55-57? O/D and reg the same? How about later 3 speeds> 65 and up? I think I am talking all saginaws? Yes I did try a search and a google search 100's of pages, lots of good charts on automatic dimensions, but little to none on 3 spds. thanks
The Muncie non-synchro low 3 speed was used till the mid 60s on most Chevys, then they went to the Saginaw. Muncie has 4 bold side cover, Saginaw is 7 iirc. Some Muncies used in the 58-64 time was shorter than the earlier ones, but I'm not sure what year they changed. THe long Muncie 3 speed, the overdrive, and the Saginaw 3 and 4 speeds (as well as the later Muncie 4 speeds) are all the same length, mostly.
5-6-7s all had long trans, the shorter ones came out in 58. Early chevelles also had longer versions but with a provision for a rear mount.
Here's SOME info I foundstill no measurements except one -24.625) The 32 spline output Muncie is 3/4 inch longer than a standard muncie:thumbsup: Wally is 100% on the money. And, to further expand on this, here is more. The following CHEV MANUAL trannys are the same length: 55-57 Saginaw 3sp (pass car) 55-62 Saginaw Vette 3sp 55-later 1/2ton pickup 3sp (non and fully syncro) 55-65 Saginaw 3spOD 66-later fully syncro 3spds (Saginaw) REGULAR B-W T-10s (57-63) 63-70 Muncies Saginaw 4spds Also, the PG and Turbo 350s are the same length as the above manual trannys (plus bell housing). For example, a 63-70 Muncie + bell housing will replace a Turbo 350 tranny and use exactly the same yoke/driveshaft. A 71-74 Muncie (or Super T-10) + bell housing will replace a Turbo 400 and use the same yoke/driveshaft. The 58-64 Saginaw 3spds were essentially the same tranny as the 55-57 3spds, EXCEPT, THEY HAD A SHORTER TAIL HOUSING!!! Also, the 58-64 short 3spds as well as the 58-64 3spOD had a tranny mount on the tail housing. The 55-62 Vette 3spds also had a tranny mount on the tail housing, but it was different from the pass car tranny mount. The 71-74 Muncie (and 70 M-22) and B-W Super T-10 are 3/4in longer than the old 3spds, T-10s, Saginaws and 63-70 Muncies. 66-85's Sooooooooooooooo, for all practical purposes, the early T-10, Saginaw 4spds and early (63-70) Muncies are the same length. The 71-74 Muncies and Super T-10s are the same length (3/4in longer). 71-74 Muncies/Super T-10s use the "Turbo 400" type yoke ALL 63-later trannys (manual & auto) except turbo 400 types use the "Turbo 350" type yoke. The 62-earlier trannys (ALL) have the SAME SIZE yoke as a Turbo 350, EXCEPT they have the coarse splines (16splines).
Nice write up, but I think it's mistaken about the truck Muncie 3 speeds from the early-mid 60s, they used short ones in some of them.
The 55-64 3 speeds are MUNCIE's not SAGANAW's Saganaw's are the full syncro 3 speeds that came out in 65 ,7 bolt side cover. Muncies are rather frail tore up lots of them back in the 60's
I am getting a 235 6 cylinder and 3spd trans out of a 55 chevy or a 61 impala (with O/D) I cannot get my hands on them at the moment, and need to know the overall length including bellhousing to tailshaft output.
I cannot find a comprehensive chart listing listing exact MANUAL transmission dimensions, something like that would be useful. (I have found only a chart on ford toploaders) I was mainly looking for dimensions of 55 and up 3pds (GM 3 speed w O/D too) Are all of them 27 9/16"(like a short th350)? Tons of data on automatics.
So if you had a "short" tailshaft 3 speed Muncie in a '63 Bel Air, what would be needed to swap in a later Saginaw fully synchronized one and still maintain the column shift? Shorter driveshaft? Different shift linkage? I have a stock 63 Chevy 6 cylinder 3 on the tree and wanna get a sychronized 1st gear and maintain the column shift if it's an easy swap.
Bump please. I know the shifter arms need altering. But can somebody enlighten us on drive shaft length.
IF you have a Muncie 318 3 speed, or the Muncie 319 3 speed with overdrive, those transmissions are the same length. Like squirrel said, roughly 27 inches including the bellhousing (same as a short shaft TH350). The 58-64 X-frame cars used a shorter version Muncie 318, 25 inches including the bellhousing. If those cars came with an overdrive Muncie 319, then we're back to roughly 27 inches, including the bellhousing; the front driveshaft was shorter/longer depending on the transmission. Generally speaking, ALL the GM/Chevrolet manual transmissions, all the transmissions were 27 inches including the bellhousing; that includes Muncie 3-speeds (early and late), Borg Warner 4 speeds (early and late), Borg Warner 3 speeds, Saginaw 3 and 4 speed transmissions including the Saginaw 3 speed with overdrive, and Muncie 4 speeds; 5 and 6 speeds are too new for my own personal concerns, and I have no real idea on them, but I doubt they're really any different as far a lengths go.. Some Pontiac's used l-o-n-g-e-r tailshaft transmissions; and even some Ford manufactured Dearborn transmissions were used in the mid 60's in Pontiacs. 10 spline inputs were used on the earlier transmissions (pre 65), and changed to 17 spines in the later 70's; same with the output shafts; 17 spline output till the mid 60s, then changed to 27 splines. The higher performance transmissions, Borg Warner 4 speed and thge M-22 Muncie 4 speed used the larger, finer spline inputs, and larger, finer spline outputs. Basically, 27 inches including the bellhousing for all Chevrolet cars/trucks, with the exception being the 58-64 X-frame cars at 25 inches including the bellhousing. There were "some" trucks that used the shorter version Muncie 318. And, some differences involving Buicks, Pontiacs, Oldmobiles. I'm sure there are some very minor differences in lengths, over the years and models, but 25 and 27 inches are the norm, including the bellhousing. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
Great topic. My Dad and I are pulling out a 3 speed in a ‘58 Chevrolet Delray and putting in a 4 speed Saginaw. The Saginaw is exactly 4 inches longer than the 3 speed coming out. Does that sound like the 3 speed is either a Muncie or Borg Warner? Case number on the 3 speed is 3830210
It's a "short" version of the Muncie 318 transmission. You'll need to shorten your front half of the drive-shaft to use the Saginaw. You'll also need a fine spline, 27 spine count, slip yoke to do the conversion. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
The 55 thru 57 and every one of the 4 bolt side cover transmissions where Muncie 318,s No Saginaw trans where made until the mid 60,s. I repete the stock three transmissions that came in tri five chevys and most every chevy car or truck up until 1964 where not Saginaw transmissions. They where Muncie 318 & with overdrive its a 319. And some chevy trucks used a short tail version. Ive had several 64 & 66 trucks that used the short shaft trans.
Yes I have a 1966 Chevy C10 3 speed Over all length is 16 and 1/2 inches from mounting surface to and of tail shaft
Your quite wrong no tri five or any chevy had a Saginaw trans before the mid 60,s The original 1950's and early 60's non syncro first & reverse transmissions with the 4 bolt side cover where Muncie's .Muncie 318's and with overdrive Muncie 319's. They where not Saginaws. The Saginaw trans is full syncro and has 7 bolts on the side cover.
I have to transmissions both Muncie 318 I want to take the short tail shaft off of one of them and put a long tail shaft on the other need to know what is involved thank you