From 3-speed to a Muncie 4 speed. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jefe · 11-15-2002, 07:46 PM

Wondering what is intailed in doing this...and if anyone here has done the swap and can maybe describe the steps they went through. My 3 speed is giving out in my 68 and I am tired of shifting on the column. I am looking to get a Muncie, probably an M20 and swap it into it. Any help would be appreciated..thanks again guys!!

Douglas

crazy longhorn · 11-15-2002, 08:47 PM

Jefe, do you have the saginaw 3 spd (full syncro, with 7 bolt side cover) in the truck?

Jefe · 11-16-2002, 06:01 PM

ttt

crazy longhorn · 11-16-2002, 07:21 PM

I need a little more info on which 3 spd trans that you have as far as slip yolk.....but here goes. The 68 up bell has a larger center hole than the car bell,& you have a couple choices there. you can either use a 67 or older truck bell to properly center the trans, or have a ring machined to press over the OD of the front bearing retainer os the m20 trans. otherwise, the trans bolts right in, but you will need to bolt & nut the bottom 2 ears ,as the truck bell doesnt have the bottom 2 holes tapped. the saginaw 3spd is the same lenght & spline as the M20, so it wont affect the shaft lenght. the old "2 pin" muncie 3 spd(non syncro first) has a different spline output shaft than the 4 spd muncie, & i cant say on the lenghts, I have seen 2 different lenghts on this trans over the years, & am not sure which one was in the 67-68 trucks. Other than that, you will need to cut a hole in the floor for the shifter. good luck

Jefe · 11-16-2002, 07:30 PM

It has a 7 bolt side cover on the driver side.

crazy longhorn · 11-16-2002, 07:36 PM

No problem with the shaft or slip yolk then.....

shadetree · 11-17-2002, 03:42 AM

If you find a Muncie (car type) 4 speed, one problem you will encounter is: the Muncie speedo cable outlet is on the passenger side of the trans case, making your truck cable too short. The fix is to find a cable from about a 1975 Monte Carlo, as the length is good, and both cable ends are right.
Another problem can be what shifter to use, and my truck has a Hurst originally made for a 57 chevy car. It fits the bench seat truck perfectly. Good luck

*racedvl* · 11-17-2002, 10:32 AM

I have a passenger car M20 in my 69, lot's of fun.

theo goebel · 11-18-2002, 02:20 AM

Jefe: My 67 came with a 68 Muncie in it with a Hurst shifter with a reverse lockout shifter from the former owner! I have the bench seat and it is close enough that I would not want to have a middle seat passenger very often, besides the fact that I don't have a middle seat belt and they ticket for that up here in Seattle. At work, I drive a late model Dodge that has a middle seat cut out, maybe for an opional console. I often thought that would be a great replacement seat as it has built in head rests and the bench seat is very comfortable. Don't need to recline as my coworker often grabs a few very comfortable zzzzzzzz's on our way between projects. Also, my shifter is quite low such that I'm bent forward a bit to shift it. It is also a fore and aft shift with a T handle that you lift up for 1st and 2nd! And it is really fun to drive, especially with my built 350 and headers to straight 3' pipe to flowmasters dumping at the axle. Its been lowered with springs and blocks for a lower and leveled stance.........do it, its such a macho feeling going through the gears!!!!!!!!:p

Stepside · 11-18-2002, 08:11 AM

I used the M21 to do this swap way back when. 82 I think. I have rebuilt it a couple times since, but all is good. Here goes;
..Bolts right up... both trans have 1 1/8-10 input shafts... check your M20
..Drive shaft bolts in... could be an inch shorter tho, tighter fit now(my truck is lowered)
..I found a driver's side speedo tail housing.. used stock cable
..The most important part: Found a shifter adapter as mentioned by shadetree. I used a Hurst Competition Plus shifter. Slightly modified a shifter handle. Fits bench seat as if it were factory.
..Used a Hurst super boot
.. Hayes gold series clutch and pressure plate

How do you spell fun? Muncie

Jefe · 11-18-2002, 03:35 PM

Thank you Thank yoU!!!
I appreciate all the info guys!! Sounds like the best way to go as far as the shifter is concerned is get a Hurst that is made for a 57 chevy? Just order one brand new? Also bellhousing I might have a little prob there but other than that I am gonna start on it tonight!!! Thanks guys!!

crazy longhorn · 11-18-2002, 03:42 PM

Good luck......I know you will have a smile on your face , when you are "rowin" that Muncie

Jefe · 11-18-2002, 11:58 PM

anyone know the part number on the shifter or assembly? The Hurst part number? Thanks again!

crazy longhorn · 11-19-2002, 12:07 AM

Here is a link for the 55-57 shifter... http://store.summitracing.com/partde...57#largerimage

Jefe · 11-19-2002, 10:32 AM

Thanks Again!! Looks really good!! All I have to do then is buy all the linkage seperately right? I can't wait!! I will post pics when I am done. THanks again!

Douglas

11-15-2002, 07:46 PM	#1
Jefe Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 299	From 3-speed to a Muncie 4 speed. Wondering what is intailed in doing this...and if anyone here has done the swap and can maybe describe the steps they went through. My 3 speed is giving out in my 68 and I am tired of shifting on the column. I am looking to get a Muncie, probably an M20 and swap it into it. Any help would be appreciated..thanks again guys!! Douglas

11-15-2002, 08:47 PM	#2
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Jefe, do you have the saginaw 3 spd (full syncro, with 7 bolt side cover) in the truck? __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

11-16-2002, 07:21 PM	#4
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	I need a little more info on which 3 spd trans that you have as far as slip yolk.....but here goes. The 68 up bell has a larger center hole than the car bell,& you have a couple choices there. you can either use a 67 or older truck bell to properly center the trans, or have a ring machined to press over the OD of the front bearing retainer os the m20 trans. otherwise, the trans bolts right in, but you will need to bolt & nut the bottom 2 ears ,as the truck bell doesnt have the bottom 2 holes tapped. the saginaw 3spd is the same lenght & spline as the M20, so it wont affect the shaft lenght. the old "2 pin" muncie 3 spd(non syncro first) has a different spline output shaft than the 4 spd muncie, & i cant say on the lenghts, I have seen 2 different lenghts on this trans over the years, & am not sure which one was in the 67-68 trucks. Other than that, you will need to cut a hole in the floor for the shifter. good luck __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

11-16-2002, 07:36 PM	#6
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	No problem with the shaft or slip yolk then..... __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

11-17-2002, 03:42 AM	#7
shadetree Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Knightstown, in, usa Posts: 2,525	If you find a Muncie (car type) 4 speed, one problem you will encounter is: the Muncie speedo cable outlet is on the passenger side of the trans case, making your truck cable too short. The fix is to find a cable from about a 1975 Monte Carlo, as the length is good, and both cable ends are right. Another problem can be what shifter to use, and my truck has a Hurst originally made for a 57 chevy car. It fits the bench seat truck perfectly. Good luck __________________ 1970 long fleet, 355 4 speed, primer, walnut goodies Last edited by shadetree; 11-17-2002 at 03:45 AM.

11-16-2002, 06:01 PM	#3
Jefe Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 299	ttt

11-16-2002, 07:30 PM	#5
Jefe Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 299	It has a 7 bolt side cover on the driver side.

11-17-2002, 10:32 AM	#8
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	I have a passenger car M20 in my 69, lot's of fun.

11-18-2002, 02:20 AM	#9
theo goebel Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Seattle, WA USA 98168 Posts: 70	going to a Muncie 4spd Jefe: My 67 came with a 68 Muncie in it with a Hurst shifter with a reverse lockout shifter from the former owner! I have the bench seat and it is close enough that I would not want to have a middle seat passenger very often, besides the fact that I don't have a middle seat belt and they ticket for that up here in Seattle. At work, I drive a late model Dodge that has a middle seat cut out, maybe for an opional console. I often thought that would be a great replacement seat as it has built in head rests and the bench seat is very comfortable. Don't need to recline as my coworker often grabs a few very comfortable zzzzzzzz's on our way between projects. Also, my shifter is quite low such that I'm bent forward a bit to shift it. It is also a fore and aft shift with a T handle that you lift up for 1st and 2nd! And it is really fun to drive, especially with my built 350 and headers to straight 3' pipe to flowmasters dumping at the axle. Its been lowered with springs and blocks for a lower and leveled stance.........do it, its such a macho feeling going through the gears!!!!!!!!:p __________________ StepSideRideRequired

11-18-2002, 08:11 AM	#10
Stepside Gasser Join Date: May 2000 Location: Thomasville,NC USA Posts: 456	I used the M21 to do this swap way back when. 82 I think. I have rebuilt it a couple times since, but all is good. Here goes; ..Bolts right up... both trans have 1 1/8-10 input shafts... check your M20 ..Drive shaft bolts in... could be an inch shorter tho, tighter fit now(my truck is lowered) ..I found a driver's side speedo tail housing.. used stock cable ..The most important part: Found a shifter adapter as mentioned by shadetree. I used a Hurst Competition Plus shifter. Slightly modified a shifter handle. Fits bench seat as if it were factory. ..Used a Hurst super boot .. Hayes gold series clutch and pressure plate How do you spell fun? Muncie __________________ :thud 70 sstep tubbed, Muncie, double hump, snowflake,

11-18-2002, 03:35 PM	#11
Jefe Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 299	Thank you Thank yoU!!! I appreciate all the info guys!! Sounds like the best way to go as far as the shifter is concerned is get a Hurst that is made for a 57 chevy? Just order one brand new? Also bellhousing I might have a little prob there but other than that I am gonna start on it tonight!!! Thanks guys!!

11-18-2002, 03:42 PM	#12
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Good luck......I know you will have a smile on your face , when you are "rowin" that Muncie __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

11-18-2002, 11:58 PM	#13
Jefe Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 299	anyone know the part number on the shifter or assembly? The Hurst part number? Thanks again!

11-19-2002, 12:07 AM	#14
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Here is a link for the 55-57 shifter... http://store.summitracing.com/partde...57#largerimage __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

11-19-2002, 10:32 AM	#15
Jefe Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 299	Thanks Again!! Looks really good!! All I have to do then is buy all the linkage seperately right? I can't wait!! I will post pics when I am done. THanks again! Douglas



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