Help the Newb! Saginaw 4 speed questions

[Tellerbama]

Hey all, I'm brand new to this site. I purchased a 72 c10 for dirt cheap last week. The only problem is that the owner had the truck from a previous trade and has no idea what was done. I've identified quite a few upgrades and also some issues today. Keep in mind I didn't grow up wrenching and I'm new to all this. My only experience is with street bikes and dirt bikes.

Ok, so the biggest problem is the tranny. I purchased this thing for dirt cheap partly because it was stuck in first gear. I googled the # on the tranny casing and came up with a saginaw transmission and thats about all I know. The original shifter location in the floorboard is open and a new hole was cut closer to bench seat. I'm not sure how to identify the shifter at this point. I was able to crawl under the truck and manually unstick the rod back into neutral but after only a minute or two of shifting through gears with truck off, it stuck again in first.

My first question is: Are the linkage rods suppose to be loose at the tranny or should they sit pretty firm in place? My rods seem pretty loose to me like maybe there is a bushing missing or something but again, I have zero experience with transmissions.

Secondly, is the shift pattern 1/3 up and 2/4 down with reverse all the way left and up?

I've only been able to test drive this thing in first so far so I'm not even sure where the gears are positioned. I guarantee you I will have many more questions but getting the tranny to shift seems like step 1. I can post pics if that will help.

Thanks in advance for the education!

[geezer#99]

Pics for sure!
Linkage needs to be firm(no rattles) but not rock tight.

Once we see what you have we can help fix it.

[Tellerbama]

Here is a pic from farther away so hopefully you can help me identify exactly what I have. The closer up pic should be 1st/2nd and is the gear thats sticking. If I hold the middle of the rod and wiggle it, I'll get about .5" of play. It looks like the rod goes directly into the gear...I don't see a bushing or anything else to keep is stable and firm.

[geezer#99]

Yup!! Saginaw!
Saginaw 4 speed has the reverse arm on the side cover. Muncie has reverse on the tailshaft.
Front lever is 3rd/4th. Centre lever is 1st/2nd.
You can buy a hurst pit pack which will work to tighten up your rods.
Some of the bushings are metal, some are hard plastic. Metal works great.
https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...7302/overview/
Burn us a pic of your shifter. From the bottom and from the top. There are some mods to it too.

[Tellerbama]

Hey Thanks! Ya, they seemed loose like they needed something like that. Here are some pics of the shifter...

[geezer#99]

Looks like a cheap old shifter. Useable though.
Here's a vid on how to adjust your linkage. It's for a muncie but the part you really need to pay attention too is the tool used to align the shifter in neutral. Your shifter has that hole too. A 1/4 inch drill bit fits nicely. Once you have it centered then you can fine tune the shifter arms from there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErcSjrxB3J4

If you'd like a better fitting shifter handle, you can replace yours (it bolts on) with one of these old bench seat shifters for the tri-fives.
https://www.hurstshiftersonline.com/...-Seat-p574.htm

Thanks for the good pics and also welcome to the forum!

[Tellerbama]

Thanks man. That helps a lot. I'm ordering the kit from Summit tonight. I'll prob stick with this shift until the truck ir running well and maybe I'll swap it out later. I'll follow the instructions on that video and get it shifting nicely.

I have a few more issues that need addressed before I can drive it around the neighborhood. Do you suggest I start a new thread for a new question or just continue with this one? By the way, here is a quick photo of the truck so you can see what I've got going...Thanks again

[geezer#99]

A new thread in the right section will help.
If it's engine/drivetrain related put it there.
Or in suspension, electrical or body. Wherever you'll get the best response.
THere are experts in every field here.

[Tellerbama]

Right on, thanks. Quick question, is this pit pack universal or do I need to identify my shifter before I order? When I see a brand name followed by a long product number, it makes me think I need to identify my equipment

[geezer#99]

THey're universal.
I've used them on other shifters with no problems.

[Tellerbama]

One more tranny question,

I cannot seem to locate the dipstick on this thing. As far as I know, it should be located on the left behind the oil stick. There is nothing there. Am I missing something?

On the same topic...another issue I've identified is a leak at the yoke. Looks like maybe a seal. That should be transmission fluid, correct? Here is a pic of the leak.

[geezer#99]

Dipstick for what?
If you mean the tranny then the dipstick is whichever finger you have that fits in the hole on the passenger side. You pull the plug there(half way up the side) to add more oil. You judge the capacity by feeling inside for the level.
THey normally take 85/90 weight gear oil.
That rear seal is easily replaced. Doesn't look like it's leaking much, if any. Possibly any oil residue there has come from a leak on the motor.

[70 shorty]

Yup, manual transmissions of that era have no dipstick. You usually have a drain plug and a fill plug separate. The drain plug would obviously be the lower of the 2. (Don't have brain fart like I've done and pull the drain plug instead of the fill plug when all you're trying to do is check the gear oil level).

[geezer#99]

IIRC a saginaw doesn't have a drain plug that looks like the fill plug. The bottom bolt on the tailhousing is the drain.

[poway]

I had the same problem. The truck that I bought had a “universal” shifter in it with a 4-speed Saginaw. I had to bring a hammer with me to knock the reverse lever to neutral at times. The transmission got stuck in 1st and reverse twice on me before I installed a Hurst shifter and adapter for a Saginaw transmission. Solved all of my problems!

[Tellerbama]

I figured that was the case but I've never owned a vehicle without it! Thanks guys. Geezer, I'm positive the fluid is coming from the yoke/seal area. I've placed cardboard under it and its saturated. It made sure it was dry behind that point. When it was parked nose down on a slanted drive, it was dry. Now that it's level, its leaking pretty good.

Poway, good to know. I'm planning on using the bushings and setting it all up. If it doesn't end up working smoothly, I'll probably go ahead and replace with a hurst like you suggested.

Great info, thanks guys.

[geezer#99]

IIRC the seal is the same as one for a turbo 350.

Did you check the level?
Could be overfull.

[Tellerbama]

I've got everything wiped down so I can determine where its coming from but I'm almost positive its the seal. So, I found the check plug and stuck my pinky in there...nothing! I guess I need to fill this thing...I'm hoping no damage was done and hoping it WAS full before the leak. Can I fill from that same hole and just fill till it meets the bottom edge? Thanks

Saginaw info is hard to find for some reason. It looks like most guys are using 75/90 or 80/90

[geezer#99]

The slightly lighter grade should work. Especially in your colder climate.
Not likely you've done any damage. THey get lubed by splash.. Doesn't take much level to get splashed around.
Can be fun putting oil in though.
I use an old oil can that has a pump on it. Like this.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Metal-Pump-...-/272934022646

You did see my comment about how to drain the tranny, didn't you. Post #14.

[Tellerbama]

For sure, thanks. I got it drained. Maybe 100-200ml came out. Dirty. I’m planning on filling with a syringe through the check on the side until it’s close to the bottom edge of threads.

[geezer#99]

Sneak in the kitchen and borrow the wifes big turkey baster. It works good for that.
Put the level at right where you can feel it with the end of your finger.

[Tellerbama]

I use a 50ml medical syringe with oxygen tubing on my dirt bike for bleeding brakes. Works great thanks geezer. I should get bushing kit in when I get back from work on Friday.

[geezer#99]

Work!!
A distant memory for me!
Been retired nigh on 10 years now.
Anywho when you do the seal just holler. We'll give you some tips and tricks.

[Tellerbama]

You've been so helpful. Thank you. I'll let you know about the seal and I'll update later on in the week after I get the tranny shifting. It took the full 960ml and it filled to just about 1/2" under thread so I think I'm good on level now. Thanks

...I wish I was retired. Im just retarded.

[stevenfromtexas]

...I wish I was retired. Im just retarded.[/QUOTE]


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