Tired 3 OTT to ?

[tutone]

Did a pretty thorough search and still haven't found much in the way of good overall answers. The old column shift on my shop truck is worn. not locking up but just sloppy. The syncro rings are right there with it in first gear. I'm lucky enough to have a healthy 350 and 3:73 rear in it, so the tranny is all I have in question. I also know that I could put a 3 speed floor shifter in it and squeeze some more time out of it BUT, I want to hear if any of you have made a Muncie M-20 or M-22 swap successfully and details on the outcome. I know my rear gearing is a little low for a 20 but I think a 21 would work. Anyhow, will I need another bell housing and the works? Never tried it in a pickup. Also shifter location is another question , since I intend to keep my bench seat.
I have collected several swap over parts for an auto, but that is a little boring, since I have a third pedal. Opinions?

[67dummy]

I am thinking about the same swap.I think the truck bellhousing and clutch disc should match up.Once the 3 speed trans. is removed you can compare the trans.dimensions on the input shaft.bearing retainer and bolt pattern.I am using wide ratio muncie,I like the 2:54 first gear ratio over the close ratio 2:20 first gear in the close ratio trans.Hurst re issued few years back 65-7 Nova comp. plus shifter which is furthest forward mounted shifter Chevy used on Muncie trans.Kinda pricey$$$,just make sure you get correct 6 mounting hole tailshaft for that shifter.Will be doing some measuring soon to see if that shifter gives enough shifter clearance for bench seat,I plan on using a factory looking bolt on t-handle repro shift handle that is made to bolt on a hurst shifter,think it was from fullsize bench seat 64-7 Chevy.I wanted end result to look like a factory Chevy install of that era with either a 65-7 Nova shift boot or other factory boot of that era depending on what looks/ works best,will let you know how it works out.

[Mike C]

If I was going to trouble to manual trans swap I’d be looking at a 5 speed. I like T5’s and a 4.3 S-10 donor would be top of my list.

[SIXTY9]

Tutone,
I have a M20 Muncie that I have used in my 69. I also ran a 350 engine with 3:73 rear gears. A whole lot of fun. I used the stock bellhousing, clutch linkage, and crossmember. The shifter is a Hurst Competition Plus with shifter handle # 4331. No problems with bench seat. Hope this helps.
Wally

[tutone]

All this info helps. I have a 20 under the bench, rebuilt and ready to go. I love driving this little pickup alot. Its easy to get around in and plenty peppy. Ad for the T5s and later model trannys, I just dont think I can do do that. I grew up old school and will stay "era correct", at least to a degree. The 20 with the 3 73 gears , I'd like to know the rpms with the 3 73 at highway speed.

[SIXTY9]

To the best I remember it was around 2800 to 3100 rpms. 65 to 70 mph.

[jocko]

Do you have bucket seats? I'm not sure the stick position works with a bench - can anyone else confirm if you've done it? I went the T5 route so I could take advantage of stock-ish stick position (in a 66 with a stock 283 - I wouldn't put one behind a healthy 350 personally, but it is all driving habit-dependent).

[geezer#99]

With a Muncie you’ll likely want a bench seat shifter.


https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Hurst-Chrome...oOFCGPqPQN8OOA

[tutone]

Bench seat here. Im not a bucket seat fan in a truck. Thought I would explore my options with what I have to work with already. I think the truck would be even more fun with a car 4 speed in it. Im really surprized more people dont put them in.

[SIXTY9]

If you go to Jegs and look up part number 5384331. That is the handle for the Hurst Competition Shifter handle that works for our trucks with bench seats. I tried the one for the 55-57 Chevy, if you move the seat toward it was hitting the seat.

[tutone]

Thanks for all the help fellows, I have a lot of new info to go with. There is no doubt that something has got to give, so a swap is in order. I can easily get another 3 speed but that does not seem like as much fun as a 4 speed. So its time to hit the swap meets and catalogues. I will post pics on my build thread as I go when I get started on it.

[Toms67]

Shifter like this?