Saginaw four speed

[James Pierce]

Can you put one of these in a 67 c10 with a 327. The four speed muncie
that is in there is a 3 speed as the granny gear is useless on the street...
The saginaw came out of a 66 el camino with a big block, so it should hold
up to a 327. I think there is shifter linkage available as well...what do ya
think folks, has anyone done this before?

[jhwkns]

It's an easy swap. You should even be able to use the same driveline. The Saginaw isn't the strongest 4-speed out there, but they're fine in our trucks. I like them. They're very fun to drive, smooth running, and quiet in proper condition. If they break, replacement parts are easy to find, and affordable. The Hurst linkage kit puts the shifter far enough forward that you could have a bench seat if wanted. The bummer is that the shifters are expensive, and unless you find a good deal on a used one prepare to spend more for it then your tranny.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

John,

The one you have there has 3 Rings on the imput shaft which should mean a 3.50 1st.

Is yours a Vega/Monza type? I came close to buying one just last week, but the levers and rods were missing on the Hurst Shifter. I called Hurst and they told me that those rods are different on the Vega/Monza type and that they don't make them anymore.

A 3.50 first would be nice in my '72 C-10. I've got a 3-Speed in it now.

Bill

[jhwkns]

@Bill; AFAIK the linkage rods were all the same. I think maybe the vega/monza trans had a weird mount that interfered. I like the 3.50 low gear much better than what was in the other saginaw I had. The one in the picture is a transmission that I bought just last year. It came with the new shifter and linkage, which was great because after twelve years my old shifter was almost shot. I had freshened the old transmission up a couple times with new bearings, synchros, etc, but it was so worn it wasn't worth rebuilding again. I didn't realize just how bad it had gotten until I put the fresh gearbox in. I might sell my old spare shifter/linkage. The shifter is tired, but you can't really wear out the linkage kit. If I do I'll put it on the parts board to keep it fair to all involved. I hadn't really thought of selling it.

[James Pierce]

JHW- Cool pic however the trans I just got has 5 mount bolts or a triangle
piece of casting front center top. It does not have grooves in the shaft.
Casting mold number is M21 with the big GM letters. Will get some pics in the
AM. I hope it is what the guy at the swap meet said it was....lol I checked
the net for shifters and you are correct about price....

[dirtball]

Originally Posted by jhwkns

@Bill; AFAIK the linkage rods were all the same. I think maybe the vega/monza trans had a weird mount that interfered. I like the 3.50 low gear much better than what was in the other saginaw I had. The one in the picture is a transmission that I bought just last year. It came with the new shifter and linkage, which was great because after twelve years my old shifter was almost shot. I had freshened the old transmission up a couple times with new bearings, synchros, etc, but it was so worn it wasn't worth rebuilding again. I didn't realize just how bad it had gotten until I put the fresh gearbox in. I might sell my old spare shifter/linkage. The shifter is tired, but you can't really wear out the linkage kit. If I do I'll put it on the parts board to keep it fair to all involved. I hadn't really thought of selling it.

If you do decide to sell it I would appreciate a heads up. I have been considering installing my Saginaw into my rig. Have a good shifter, just not the right linkage kit. Thanks

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by James Pierce

Can you put one of these in a 67 c10 with a 327. The four speed muncie
that is in there is a 3 speed as the granny gear is useless on the street...
The saginaw came out of a 66 el camino with a big block, so it should hold
up to a 327. I think there is shifter linkage available as well...what do ya
think folks, has anyone done this before?

Its a bolt in on your 67, nut & bolt the bottom 2 ears on the trans(the bell is not theaded). , cut your drive line, & the hole in the floor for the shifter(I do reccommend a Hurst shifter & linkage)

[Bishops Trucks]

My Dad has a Sag in his '67 hooked up to a 283 so it will work in your truck. Just make sure you get the install kit for a Saginaw.

[special-K]

I have friends who have always run 4spds. The Muncies cost so darn much that they grab up Saginaws. Between the Saginaws and Borg Warners they have had better luck with Saginaw. One has a Saginaw behind a ZZ4 and it's doing fine. I won't say he's bangin' gears like there's no tomorrow,but it's getting full torque cuz Eddies enjoys that motor

[jhwkns]

For anyone interested I listed a shifter and linkage kit for a saginaw on the parts board.

[71 lowrider]

I installed a saginaw 4 speed out of a Vega in my 69 short stepside,running a 350 engine. I used the vega shifter(it bolts to the floor,not the trans.) Ithink I cut the stick and angled it forward for seat clearance.I used this truck as a daily driver for several years,and had no problems.

[redneck6]

Originally Posted by jhwkns

It's an easy swap. You should even be able to use the same driveline. The Saginaw isn't the strongest 4-speed out there, but they're fine in our trucks. I like them. They're very fun to drive, smooth running, and quiet in proper condition. If they break, replacement parts are easy to find, and affordable. The Hurst linkage kit puts the shifter far enough forward that you could have a bench seat if wanted. The bummer is that the shifters are expensive, and unless you find a good deal on a used one prepare to spend more for it then your tranny.

if you still have that old shifter for sale i am very much intrested , and if not i would like if i could have you hook me up with mesruments and parts numbers off what you do have .

[Wrenchbender Ret]

I bought the cheapy Hurst shifter, I believe they call it an Indy. It was a piece of junk. I sent it back.

[Redleg]

How much more top end does the Saginaw 4 speed have over the saginaw 3 speed?

[Keith Seymore]

None. The high gear in each would be 1:1.


K

[no moa]

Guy i work with had a 69 3/4 2wd with a 396 in it, he put a saginaw 4 speed in it, used the 3 on the tree shifter, for it, had all 4 gears, and had a shift rod up through the floor for reverse. Said it worked good, unless you left it in gear on the column and pulled the lever for reverse, it was a ***** to get unstuck when he did. lol

[jhwkns]

Originally Posted by redneck6

if you still have that old shifter for sale i am very much intrested , and if not i would like if i could have you hook me up with mesruments and parts numbers off what you do have .

I sent you a PM regarding the shifter. If you just need some measurements, hit me up. Here's an old picture that will give you an idea where it comes out of the floor.

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

I bought the cheapy Hurst shifter, I believe they call it an Indy. It was a piece of junk. I sent it back.

Yeah those are pretty poor. They don't compare at all to the comp plus shifters.