GM/Chevy 3 speed??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Mechdawg · 03-05-2006, 10:44 AM

Hey all Im just about at the stage to start putting my truck together and Ive run into a question. The transmission that I got when I picked this truck up I cant identify I know for a fact its not a muncie or a saginaw 3 speed. It has four bolts holding the side cover on if that helps. Someone told me they think it is a gm 3 speed. Anyhow if anyone can help clear this up and let me know if this tranny is worth while or not, gear ratios etc. I should mention the guy that had it last sent it off and had it totally rebuilt so its in mint condition. thanks for you help.
Tim

1967 C-10
327
unkown 3 speed

**truckdude239** · 03-05-2006, 11:57 AM

i know its not a good picture but if it looks somewhatr like that its a chevy 3 speed

Mechdawg · 03-05-2006, 12:01 PM

yep thats it. So is it an ok trans or should I not waste my time with it?
Thanks

TP from Cntl PA · 03-05-2006, 08:02 PM

For bolts on the side cover where the pins stick out for the shifter mech. to bolt on too mean it is non-syncro, not in just 1st, but all of them. Atleast all the ones I've gotten my hands on.

So in other words, you'll have to double clutch, or syncro shift it like a big OTR truck when you understand it habits.

We had one in a '69 C-10 when I was in my early teens and we had a blast with it on the farm. They aren't too bad for back road driving with limited stopping/going but I don't think I'd want one in town.

I seem to recall they were only used in '67(Maybe '68), unless they were put in something newer like the one we had by a shade tree mechanic. The ones with 6 bolts on that cover are syncro.

woodridge · 03-05-2006, 08:15 PM

Sounds like you may have an old Muncie 3 spd, non synchro 1st but synchro 2nd and 3rd. Pretty week trans but it worked for gm a lot of years.

Tx Firefighter · 03-05-2006, 08:23 PM

The syncro'd Saginaws have 7 bolt side covers.

TP from Cntl PA · 03-05-2006, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

The syncro'd Saginaws have 7 bolt side covers.

Your right...........Hard to keep it all straight.

Mechdawg · 03-05-2006, 09:38 PM

Bad thing is if I want to change it for any other trans be it manual or auto Ill need to either find a new drive shaft or have the one I have shortened I was hopeing to avoid that.

Green Machine · 03-06-2006, 12:21 AM

Does the input shaft get skinny right behind the spline ? If so that is likely a non-syncho low tranny. Ok if you don't beat on it, but I twisted the shaft off of one before behind just a 283. The 68 or so up 3 speed saginaw is much tougher, but not as strong as say a muncie 4 spped.

Mechdawg · 03-06-2006, 04:10 PM

I checked it out and its all spline dosnt get skinny anywhere behind it. I guess Ill just have to find out about the synchro for sure once I get it in. I really have no choice anyhow I have to get this truck on the road soon. I can always come back later on to change out the tranny. I think I would still like to stay with a manual though just my preference would like an overdrive one however.

67chevemall · 03-06-2006, 04:17 PM

I would run that one till it goes(if ever)
then...
Get a Muncie's they are 1:1 finaly ratio so you don't need overdrive just change your gears out...

Scrubby · 03-06-2006, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67chevemall

Get a Muncie's they are 1:1 finaly ratio so you don't need overdrive just change your gears out...

I'm pretty sure that 3 speed he has is 1:1 ratio in 3rd gear.

crazy longhorn · 03-06-2006, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechdawg

I checked it out and its all spline dosnt get skinny anywhere behind it. I guess Ill just have to find out about the synchro for sure once I get it in. I really have no choice anyhow I have to get this truck on the road soon. I can always come back later on to change out the tranny. I think I would still like to stay with a manual though just my preference would like an overdrive one however.

That old trans has been around since the early to mid 50's in cars & trucks. They are decent trans for a cruiser, but weak on the perf end. I have seen the input shaft with the drop in diameter after the spline, & a few of these broken(back in the day). The biggest thing I saw these old trans break was the low/reverse slider gear. The 7 bolt cover saginaw is a pretty good deal on the street/heavy foot......also not for racing(go Muncie M20/21/22, or Borg Warner T10)......or just "puke up the bucks" on a 5 or 6 spd Richmond

Crazy as Al (or was it crazy as he!!)

03-05-2006, 10:44 AM	#1
Mechdawg Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Dover AFB Delaware Posts: 159	GM/Chevy 3 speed??? Hey all Im just about at the stage to start putting my truck together and Ive run into a question. The transmission that I got when I picked this truck up I cant identify I know for a fact its not a muncie or a saginaw 3 speed. It has four bolts holding the side cover on if that helps. Someone told me they think it is a gm 3 speed. Anyhow if anyone can help clear this up and let me know if this tranny is worth while or not, gear ratios etc. I should mention the guy that had it last sent it off and had it totally rebuilt so its in mint condition. thanks for you help. Tim 1967 C-10 327 unkown 3 speed

03-05-2006, 11:57 AM	#2
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	Re: GM/Chevy 3 speed??? i know its not a good picture but if it looks somewhatr like that its a chevy 3 speed Attached Images __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

03-05-2006, 12:01 PM	#3
Mechdawg Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Dover AFB Delaware Posts: 159	Re: GM/Chevy 3 speed??? yep thats it. So is it an ok trans or should I not waste my time with it? Thanks

03-05-2006, 08:02 PM	#4
TP from Cntl PA Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Central PA....In the Berg of Nisbet Posts: 790	Re: GM/Chevy 3 speed??? For bolts on the side cover where the pins stick out for the shifter mech. to bolt on too mean it is non-syncro, not in just 1st, but all of them. Atleast all the ones I've gotten my hands on. So in other words, you'll have to double clutch, or syncro shift it like a big OTR truck when you understand it habits. We had one in a '69 C-10 when I was in my early teens and we had a blast with it on the farm. They aren't too bad for back road driving with limited stopping/going but I don't think I'd want one in town. I seem to recall they were only used in '67(Maybe '68), unless they were put in something newer like the one we had by a shade tree mechanic. The ones with 6 bolts on that cover are syncro. __________________ '72 K-20 EFI'ed 250 Inline/4spd stake body, Farm Truck '71 C-20 Cummins Diesel Powered, In storage thanks to $5.00 diesel! '69 3500 GMC 305V-6/4spd, Still under reconstruction.......... Inlines Rule! 6 soldiers standing is better than 8 laying down!!!!!!!!

03-05-2006, 08:15 PM	#5
woodridge Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Maynardville, Tn Posts: 3,030	Re: GM/Chevy 3 speed??? Sounds like you may have an old Muncie 3 spd, non synchro 1st but synchro 2nd and 3rd. Pretty week trans but it worked for gm a lot of years. __________________ SEMA Network- Protect our Hobby! 71 C30 in pieces, starting to come together. Click here for A Place For Tennessee Truck Enthusiest To Meet

03-05-2006, 08:23 PM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: GM/Chevy 3 speed??? The syncro'd Saginaws have 7 bolt side covers. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

03-05-2006, 09:38 PM	#8
Mechdawg Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Dover AFB Delaware Posts: 159	Re: GM/Chevy 3 speed??? Bad thing is if I want to change it for any other trans be it manual or auto Ill need to either find a new drive shaft or have the one I have shortened I was hopeing to avoid that.

03-06-2006, 12:21 AM	#9
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Re: GM/Chevy 3 speed??? Does the input shaft get skinny right behind the spline ? If so that is likely a non-syncho low tranny. Ok if you don't beat on it, but I twisted the shaft off of one before behind just a 283. The 68 or so up 3 speed saginaw is much tougher, but not as strong as say a muncie 4 spped. __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0

03-06-2006, 04:10 PM	#10
Mechdawg Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Dover AFB Delaware Posts: 159	Re: GM/Chevy 3 speed??? I checked it out and its all spline dosnt get skinny anywhere behind it. I guess Ill just have to find out about the synchro for sure once I get it in. I really have no choice anyhow I have to get this truck on the road soon. I can always come back later on to change out the tranny. I think I would still like to stay with a manual though just my preference would like an overdrive one however.

03-06-2006, 04:17 PM	#11
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	Re: GM/Chevy 3 speed??? I would run that one till it goes(if ever) then... Get a Muncie's they are 1:1 finaly ratio so you don't need overdrive just change your gears out... __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD



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