1967 Chevy C10 transmission question?

[Simbone47]

First time posting. Absolutely neat forum!
I am looking at buying a '67 C-10. Of course it is a 3 speed on the column. My question is on unsynchronized transmissions. I am familiar with the double clutch technique but what I am told by the seller is that you CANNOT downshift to first gear until the vehicle is at a full stop. Is this right? My father spent years driving unsynched transmissions and promises me that it SHOULD downshift to first while double clutching or something is wrong with it. Thanks for any and all input.
Chris

[Ron 586]

Welcome to the board from West Tennessee. The answer is yes you can shift into low using the double clutch method, but!!!! make sure that you don't miss because these little "peanut" transmissions won't take a lot of abuse. (ask me how I know) I just upgrade to a fully synchronized and save the aggravation even if it does mean a drive shaft mod.

[krue]

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi!

[Green Machine]

I've driven a couple of cars with those and they are pretty weak, broke one or two myself, but never gave any trouble if driven sanely. Most of the time you do not need to downshift into first unless you are stopped anyway. I would drive it like it is and locate a 68 or newer 3 speed from a truck and do an upgrade later. I think those newer saginaw 3 speeds should not be to hard to find. You may have to change the bellhousing to one from a 68 up, to get a larger front bearing retainer hole for the better tranny. All fairly easy to find parts I would think.

[67ChevyRedneck]

It's a good learning tool for a 16 year old (me ten years ago ). Come to a complete stop, put truck in first, look both ways, pedal to the floor!

I drove my truck for 7 or 8 years with the non syncro 3 speed. You get used to it. I tossed my set-up for a 700R4 because I was sick of winding out at 50 mph.

[passthebuck]

one of my 67's is the same way & ya, i hate it. 1st gear is unsynchronized. My other 67 has had the trans changed to a 69 & its fully synchronized & life is much easier, especially in traffic.

[Green Machine]

Bad advice here, if you go to replace that transmission, have you spare ready, but long ago in my old 64 Impala beater, those trannys make the coolest noise if you try to shift into reverse going down the street. Take off from the stop sign, hopefully the will be people watching and just shift from low and try to get reverse, sounds like H3ll, makes people look, and have some fun with an old tranny !!!

[davidh]

Originally Posted by Green Machine

I've driven a couple of cars with those and they are pretty weak, broke one or two myself, but never gave any trouble if driven sanely. Most of the time you do not need to downshift into first unless you are stopped anyway. I would drive it like it is and locate a 68 or newer 3 speed from a truck and do an upgrade later. I think those newer saginaw 3 speeds should not be to hard to find. You may have to change the bellhousing to one from a 68 up, to get a larger front bearing retainer hole for the better tranny. All fairly easy to find parts I would think.

Reminds me of when a buddy of mine and I took out his brother in Laws 65 c10 that had a recent small block up grade to go on a beer run. Needless to say it was 3am(back when beer was sold 24hr) and we limped that truck back and ran out of it like it was going to blow up..

[davidh]

I've drove several of them and they aren't that bad. Most of the time you are just coasting to a stop in N anyway, put in 1st and take off. I don't think they'll stand to too much V8 romping. However I know the roundy round guys use them in their dirt track cars, Im sure its the synchro 3speed though.