Good deal or bad deal? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lukecp · 07-15-2002, 08:32 PM

Well, i have found some passenger car 4spd trannies for sale. For $400, this guy has 2 4spds, a parts tranny, and 2 SBC bellhousings for them. I'm not sure (yet), which trannies they are, but i know they came from 2 early 70's Chevelles. They aren't M22 "rock crushers either". Is $400 a decent deal? Any idea on what trannies they might be, and if they would be tough enough for my C10? I have a TH350 right now, and it is nearing the end of its days (proably about another year left in it). How hard would it be to convert my truck to the 4spd? Would they be the same lenght as my TH350, and would they bolt into the crossmember? Would a junkyard clutch pedal and linkage from a 67-72 be an easy bolt on ? Thanks for any help.

mikep · 07-15-2002, 08:37 PM

They could be M20 or M21 muncies or they could be saginaws of different types or they could be borg warners T10's . You really need more information as to what they are. If theyre muncies it might be a good deal. The wide ratio being better in trucks . For that price though they are probably saginaws. I'll probably offend somebody with this but saginaws suck. Find out what they are before you commit to buying anything. Take along an old ( 1971 is my favorite ) chiltons guide with you to identify them if the guy doesnt know what they are. He probably does and is just trying to screw you. Thats my guess.

lukecp · 07-15-2002, 08:45 PM

I know this guy pretty well, and i really don't think he is tring to screw me over, but who knows. I just heard he had them for sale, i haven't had a chance to talk to him yet. Looking at the ratios on some of these trannies, i dont think i will get them unless one is a M20. 2.20 is a pretty high ratio for a first gear in a truck, especially with my 3.07 rear gears........
I might be able to find out some more tomorrow.

mikep · 07-15-2002, 09:48 PM

Yeah the M21 has a pretty tight gear spread for a truck . Works good in lighter cars with low gears though. The M20 is much more appropriate and they are often reasonably priced although for a truck I think you'll find the New Process trannies are much more durable. I'm switching to a TH350 and Ive got a good close ratio New process for sale although shipping would be be rather high on that cast iron beast.

How do you like that 204/214 cam. I've got one in my new motor I am firing up this week along with some new world product S/R heads and 9.5:1 compression. I'm interested in seeing how it runs. Hows your mileage?

Blue_71 · 07-15-2002, 10:13 PM

if you wind up getting a manual i think ive got a clutch and brake pedel assembly in my extra cab

Bamm · 07-15-2002, 10:22 PM

I'm with mikep, I had a saginaw in my truck when I bought it. That was the first thing to go. In my opinion they are not worth the effort to change it over. I would take that $400.00 and the money you would spend changing it over, and get a nasty Turbo 350 built......Yep, thats what I would do........JB

lukecp · 07-15-2002, 10:32 PM

mikep, i like the 204/214 cam alot. I think it is about perfect for a truck. I have excellent tourque anywhere between 2000-3500 rpm, and that allows me to pull most hills on the highway without even putting the gas pedal halfway down. As far as the mileage goes, when i had a Q jet on it, i was getting about 12-13 around town, and 15 on the highway (with my foot out of it). I have a Edelbrock 1406 on it now, and my MPG has droped to 10-11 city, and about 13 on the highway.

jhwkns · 07-16-2002, 12:13 AM

I've had good luck with the Saginaw 4-speed in my truck. it's a model 456 from a camaro. It was the same length as the original three speed, and bolted right up to the stock truck bellhousing. I made no modifications to my driveshaft at all. The only linkage kit for our trucks in the Hurst catalog is for this trans. I purchased it from a junkyard for $120 A used shifter, and the linkage kit were another $150 Three years, and 65,000 miles later it still works great. For identifying the transmissions !!! If you go to the Hurst Shifters web site they have pictures for identification help.

07-15-2002, 08:32 PM	#1
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Good deal or bad deal? Well, i have found some passenger car 4spd trannies for sale. For $400, this guy has 2 4spds, a parts tranny, and 2 SBC bellhousings for them. I'm not sure (yet), which trannies they are, but i know they came from 2 early 70's Chevelles. They aren't M22 "rock crushers either". Is $400 a decent deal? Any idea on what trannies they might be, and if they would be tough enough for my C10? I have a TH350 right now, and it is nearing the end of its days (proably about another year left in it). How hard would it be to convert my truck to the 4spd? Would they be the same lenght as my TH350, and would they bolt into the crossmember? Would a junkyard clutch pedal and linkage from a 67-72 be an easy bolt on ? Thanks for any help. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

07-15-2002, 08:37 PM	#2
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	They could be M20 or M21 muncies or they could be saginaws of different types or they could be borg warners T10's . You really need more information as to what they are. If theyre muncies it might be a good deal. The wide ratio being better in trucks . For that price though they are probably saginaws. I'll probably offend somebody with this but saginaws suck. Find out what they are before you commit to buying anything. Take along an old ( 1971 is my favorite ) chiltons guide with you to identify them if the guy doesnt know what they are. He probably does and is just trying to screw you. Thats my guess. __________________ No truck :-( Last edited by mikep; 07-15-2002 at 08:40 PM.

07-15-2002, 08:45 PM	#3
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I know this guy pretty well, and i really don't think he is tring to screw me over, but who knows. I just heard he had them for sale, i haven't had a chance to talk to him yet. Looking at the ratios on some of these trannies, i dont think i will get them unless one is a M20. 2.20 is a pretty high ratio for a first gear in a truck, especially with my 3.07 rear gears........ I might be able to find out some more tomorrow. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg Last edited by lukecp; 07-15-2002 at 08:48 PM.

07-15-2002, 09:48 PM	#4
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Yeah the M21 has a pretty tight gear spread for a truck . Works good in lighter cars with low gears though. The M20 is much more appropriate and they are often reasonably priced although for a truck I think you'll find the New Process trannies are much more durable. I'm switching to a TH350 and Ive got a good close ratio New process for sale although shipping would be be rather high on that cast iron beast. How do you like that 204/214 cam. I've got one in my new motor I am firing up this week along with some new world product S/R heads and 9.5:1 compression. I'm interested in seeing how it runs. Hows your mileage? __________________ No truck :-( Last edited by mikep; 07-15-2002 at 09:50 PM.

07-15-2002, 10:22 PM	#6
Bamm Cowboy Fan for Life!!!!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Amelia, Virginia Posts: 2,921	I'm with mikep, I had a saginaw in my truck when I bought it. That was the first thing to go. In my opinion they are not worth the effort to change it over. I would take that $400.00 and the money you would spend changing it over, and get a nasty Turbo 350 built......Yep, thats what I would do........JB __________________ 1967 ShortBed Fleetside 3/4 Drop 350/700R4 Tilt wheel 18 x 8 Torque Thrust II's Future mods: All new gauges & wood bed My Zip is 23002 I ship UPS, USPS

07-15-2002, 10:32 PM	#7
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	mikep, i like the 204/214 cam alot. I think it is about perfect for a truck. I have excellent tourque anywhere between 2000-3500 rpm, and that allows me to pull most hills on the highway without even putting the gas pedal halfway down. As far as the mileage goes, when i had a Q jet on it, i was getting about 12-13 around town, and 15 on the highway (with my foot out of it). I have a Edelbrock 1406 on it now, and my MPG has droped to 10-11 city, and about 13 on the highway. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

07-16-2002, 12:13 AM	#8
jhwkns Registered Cruiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,230	I've had good luck with the Saginaw 4-speed in my truck. it's a model 456 from a camaro. It was the same length as the original three speed, and bolted right up to the stock truck bellhousing. I made no modifications to my driveshaft at all. The only linkage kit for our trucks in the Hurst catalog is for this trans. I purchased it from a junkyard for $120 A used shifter, and the linkage kit were another $150 Three years, and 65,000 miles later it still works great. For identifying the transmissions !!! If you go to the Hurst Shifters web site they have pictures for identification help. __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.



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