Transmission bad. Options . . . - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Lobo'74 · 07-08-2005, 02:55 PM

Finally got under the truck to check out why it would only go into first. Its a '79 saginaw all syncro 3 speed. Now I can get it into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, but not reverse. If I try to push hard on the shifter to force it into reverse it still won't go in, and is then hard to get it into first. If I just use 1,2,3 it seems OK.

When I disconnect the shifter arm from the rod leading to the transmission the shifter works fine and I can move the rod pushing the transmission lever into first, but can not push it into reverse. I think my old Fenton shifter is OK but that something is wrong internally in the tranny.

On a related note, the clutch is starting to slip.

Looks to me like I'll have to take it to a transmission shop. I hate to spend anything on repairs or rebuilds of this tranny since I want to go with either a 5 speed from a more current 1/2 ton, or a performance modded 700R4. I have even considered a chevy 4 speed (NOT a truck granny 1st gear 4 speed) but know that the final drive ratio is still only 1:1. Just don't have the bucks to do the conversion now . . .but if I have to rebuild this one anyway . . .

Can anyone give me any ideas on approximate costs for:
*Convert to an auto & go with a performance 700R4 (I estimate this to be $2500-$3000)
* Get a new HD clutch and a rebuilt 5 speed (I estimated that at $2000-$2500)
*Any other ideas and estimates?

shifty · 07-08-2005, 03:30 PM

Go buy another 3spd from a board member. Should cost less than $500, but most likely closer to $200-250.

70 shorty · 07-08-2005, 10:34 PM

Lobo, you dont' think it happened from driving it to Pocohontas State Park do you? I'm probably going to put a car 4 spd in the Fred Sanford Special. Sorry I can't help with what you're looking at money wise, but if it were me, no auto would be in my future. If I understand what you're saying correctly the trans will move to all gears feely except reverse with the shifter disconnected, so it must be internal. If you waited long enough, I bet you could find someone pretty much giving away a 3 spd.

Rokcrln · 07-08-2005, 11:18 PM

I had a 700r4 built (good for 700hp out of a small block) and it cost me $2,300 for just the tranny. Then you need to add in for a converter, shifter, drive shaft. Figure 3k. Or you can go to the auto parts store and buy a off the shelf 700 for about $1400.

Kevin

woodridge · 07-09-2005, 01:40 AM

How about $50. plus ride or if you or someone comes to Knoxville you could pick it up.

krue · 07-09-2005, 05:19 AM

Yeah if you were closer I could hook you up. Look around I bet you can find one for little or nothing. I've had two given to me in the last year or so.

shifty · 07-09-2005, 11:02 PM

I'm looking for a 4spd if anyone's got one. I bought one from another board member (bigunde) and it's from a 3/4 ton panel truck - I'll need to do too much butchering to use it, so I'm on the hunt again. I'll trade or buy flat out and I know you're both close to me.

(that is - if nobody else is interested).

I'm trying to get rid of my (wonderful) 3spd on the tree in exchange for something on the floor.

Lobo'74 · 07-12-2005, 11:50 AM

Anyone have the thread for putting a "new" 5 speed in? I know it has been done and discussed on here.

70 Shorty - Nope, the Pocohontas run went fine. I did have some trouble a month after that. Plugs fouled and ingition module bad. Put autolite racing plugs in it and changed out the bad module. That burns out annually. what a PIA. Runs GREAT now, just can't drive it . . .

woodridge - I may take you up on that offer. What year 3 speed do you have? Any issues with it? I'm looking locally and am still thinking about biting the bullet and going auto. I appreciate the offer.

motocrosschump · 07-12-2005, 11:59 AM

I have a m20 that probably needs rebuilt. Its been in my shop for about 5 years.

$450 Shipped

Lobo'74 · 07-12-2005, 02:50 PM

I have found a Saginaw 4 speed locally for $300. I know final drive ratio is still the same as my Saginaw 3 speed, but it is more drivable in town as it will not have the BIG jump between 2nd and 3rd that mine does. At 35-40mph 2nd is winding out too much, 3rd is too tall and lugs the engine. (4.11:1 rear end)

Anyone know if this is a simple swap with no drive shaft changes, just a new 4 speed shifter and bolt the 4 speed up and go?

Can the Saginaw 4 speed handle 325 HP?

07-08-2005, 02:55 PM	#1
Lobo'74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 404	Transmission bad. Options . . . Finally got under the truck to check out why it would only go into first. Its a '79 saginaw all syncro 3 speed. Now I can get it into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, but not reverse. If I try to push hard on the shifter to force it into reverse it still won't go in, and is then hard to get it into first. If I just use 1,2,3 it seems OK. When I disconnect the shifter arm from the rod leading to the transmission the shifter works fine and I can move the rod pushing the transmission lever into first, but can not push it into reverse. I think my old Fenton shifter is OK but that something is wrong internally in the tranny. On a related note, the clutch is starting to slip. Looks to me like I'll have to take it to a transmission shop. I hate to spend anything on repairs or rebuilds of this tranny since I want to go with either a 5 speed from a more current 1/2 ton, or a performance modded 700R4. I have even considered a chevy 4 speed (NOT a truck granny 1st gear 4 speed) but know that the final drive ratio is still only 1:1. Just don't have the bucks to do the conversion now . . .but if I have to rebuild this one anyway . . . Can anyone give me any ideas on approximate costs for: Convert to an auto & go with a performance 700R4 (I estimate this to be $2500-$3000) Get a new HD clutch and a rebuilt 5 speed (I estimated that at $2000-$2500) Any other ideas and estimates? __________________ "Truck" '67 small window '79 350 .030 over, LT1 "clone" Last edited by Lobo'74; 07-08-2005 at 03:02 PM.*

07-08-2005, 03:30 PM	#2
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Go buy another 3spd from a board member. Should cost less than $500, but most likely closer to $200-250. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

07-08-2005, 10:34 PM	#3
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,772	Lobo, you dont' think it happened from driving it to Pocohontas State Park do you? I'm probably going to put a car 4 spd in the Fred Sanford Special. Sorry I can't help with what you're looking at money wise, but if it were me, no auto would be in my future. If I understand what you're saying correctly the trans will move to all gears feely except reverse with the shifter disconnected, so it must be internal. If you waited long enough, I bet you could find someone pretty much giving away a 3 spd. __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K

07-09-2005, 01:40 AM	#5
woodridge Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Maynardville, Tn Posts: 3,030	How about $50. plus ride or if you or someone comes to Knoxville you could pick it up. __________________ SEMA Network- Protect our Hobby! 71 C30 in pieces, starting to come together. Click here for A Place For Tennessee Truck Enthusiest To Meet

07-09-2005, 05:19 AM	#6
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Yeah if you were closer I could hook you up. Look around I bet you can find one for little or nothing. I've had two given to me in the last year or so. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

07-08-2005, 11:18 PM	#4
Rokcrln Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Winters Ca. 95694 Posts: 4,843	I had a 700r4 built (good for 700hp out of a small block) and it cost me $2,300 for just the tranny. Then you need to add in for a converter, shifter, drive shaft. Figure 3k. Or you can go to the auto parts store and buy a off the shelf 700 for about $1400. Kevin

07-09-2005, 11:02 PM	#7
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	I'm looking for a 4spd if anyone's got one. I bought one from another board member (bigunde) and it's from a 3/4 ton panel truck - I'll need to do too much butchering to use it, so I'm on the hunt again. I'll trade or buy flat out and I know you're both close to me. (that is - if nobody else is interested). I'm trying to get rid of my (wonderful) 3spd on the tree in exchange for something on the floor. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

07-12-2005, 11:50 AM	#8
Lobo'74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 404	Anyone have the thread for putting a "new" 5 speed in? I know it has been done and discussed on here. 70 Shorty - Nope, the Pocohontas run went fine. I did have some trouble a month after that. Plugs fouled and ingition module bad. Put autolite racing plugs in it and changed out the bad module. That burns out annually. what a PIA. Runs GREAT now, just can't drive it . . . woodridge - I may take you up on that offer. What year 3 speed do you have? Any issues with it? I'm looking locally and am still thinking about biting the bullet and going auto. I appreciate the offer. __________________ "Truck" '67 small window '79 350 .030 over, LT1 "clone"

07-12-2005, 11:59 AM	#9
motocrosschump Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Texarkana, AR 71854 Posts: 397	I have a m20 that probably needs rebuilt. Its been in my shop for about 5 years. $450 Shipped __________________ 2006 Titan SE Crew Cab Daily Driver 2005 Mazda Tribute (Wifes car) 1969 C10 SWB 350/3 Fleet "Max" 1969 Chevelle 2 door 350/3

07-12-2005, 02:50 PM	#10
Lobo'74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 404	I have found a Saginaw 4 speed locally for $300. I know final drive ratio is still the same as my Saginaw 3 speed, but it is more drivable in town as it will not have the BIG jump between 2nd and 3rd that mine does. At 35-40mph 2nd is winding out too much, 3rd is too tall and lugs the engine. (4.11:1 rear end) Anyone know if this is a simple swap with no drive shaft changes, just a new 4 speed shifter and bolt the 4 speed up and go? Can the Saginaw 4 speed handle 325 HP? __________________ "Truck" '67 small window '79 350 .030 over, LT1 "clone" Last edited by Lobo'74; 07-12-2005 at 02:51 PM.



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