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Chevy three speeds ?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by buick320a, Apr 25, 2008.

  1. buick320a
    Joined: Jan 21, 2006
    Posts: 449

    buick320a
    Member
    from indiana

    Did any of the chevy three speed transmission come with a synchronized low gear ?
     
  2. R Pope
    Joined: Jan 23, 2006
    Posts: 3,309

    R Pope
    Member

    Yep, the later Saginaw's are full synchro. Somewhere around '64, '65 they changed. Pickups used 'em too. Right up into the '80's.
     
  3. DuckusCrapus
    Joined: Jun 24, 2004
    Posts: 491

    DuckusCrapus
    Member

    I was stuck on using a 3 speed in my T. I originally had a '57 Chevy 3-speed, but with no synchro in 1st and no trans crossmember mount I decided to go with the later model Saginaw. They are cheap! I have been beating the snot out of mine for a few years now and never had a problem.



    DuckusCrapus
     
  4. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 8,564

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY

    Saginaw three speed with synchro low gear came out in the '66 models, and a Saginaw with overdrive was available from 1966-71.
     

  5. Phil1934
    Joined: Jun 24, 2001
    Posts: 2,716

    Phil1934
    Member

    My neighbor has a '57 and wants a synchronized 1st. Are there any mods needed, or are shift arms, yoke spline and length the same?
     
  6. R Pope
    Joined: Jan 23, 2006
    Posts: 3,309

    R Pope
    Member

    Not sure about drlveshaft length, but the front stuff all works, clutch, bell, shift linkage.
     
  7. DuckusCrapus
    Joined: Jun 24, 2004
    Posts: 491

    DuckusCrapus
    Member

    The only mod I had to make was to change the front bearing retainer on the Saginaw 3 speed. It had the larger diameter one on it stock ('70's something Nova). I got the smaller bearing retainer at a local trans shop for $20 new. They interchange with no mods.


    If I remember right....I thought the '57 3 speed was longer than the Saginaw...but I didn't have a drive shaft made until I swapped transmissions. I am sure someone on here will know.



    DuckusCrapus
     
  8. i think the output shaft splines are different and the shift arm locations are way different.
     

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  9. Truckedup
    Joined: Jul 25, 2006
    Posts: 4,661

    Truckedup
    Member

    I've had a lot of 55-64 type Chevy Muncie 3pds and later Saginaw 3 and 4 speeds around at the same time.They were all the same length,21 inches, give or take 1/4 , from the front mounting face to tip of the tailhousing.OD version ,the same length.Clutch input shaft the same.The output spline on the Saginaw is finer than the older 3 speeds,the shift lever shafts are quite different.They might be other lengths,I've never seen one though
     
  10. DrJ
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 9,419

    DrJ
    Member

    Double clutching is traditional.. :cool:
     
  11. Yes all the above info is correct the shift arns are different sometimes the front collar that the throwout bearing rides on is larger and the trans splines are different .however the length and clutch splines will work.The saganaw doesent have the same gear ratios it is faster in first than a 55 to 65 gear cruncher OldWolf
     
  12. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    The 58-64 "X" frame cars used the "short" Muncie 3-speed (like the one in the above photo). Other than those, they're all the same lenth. Saginaws have a lower first gear allowing you to run a taller rear gear; something to think about with the gas prices setting new records. The Saginaws also use the same fine spline output shaft of the "later" Glides, TH 350,Muncie 4 speeds (M-20 & M-21), 200R4, and probably other lower performance style automatics. IF you could find an overdrive Saginaw 3-speed, the overdrive can be used later to upgrade a Saginaw 4-speed. They can be converted easily so you have a 4-speed with overdrive.
     
  13. Flop
    Joined: Jun 8, 2006
    Posts: 3,886

    Flop
    Member

    bahhh 3rd into second then into first at a low rpm and you are usually good atleats in my 47 it works that way
     

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