converting a 3 speed to 4 speed? 71 chevy - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tjvending · 12-04-2007, 09:11 AM

Can someone tell me what's involved in switching my 3 speed to a 4 speed? My questions are: Will a 4-speed (saginaw) go right in as same as the 3-speed, will the same bellhousing work, will the drive shaft need to be re-done, so on... I have a 71 Chevy long bed, 350 3 speed on the floor I think its a Saginaw. Used to be on the column. I used it mostly for driving to work and a little fun, not really racing. Any help? I see a few 4 speed Saginaw on E-Bay for sale... $200 to $500

TJ

crazy longhorn · 12-04-2007, 09:49 AM

You need to swap the input bearing retainer from the 3 spd, to the 4 spd(saginaw), & will use a bolt & nut on the bottom 2 ears on the trans to bell. Otherwise its a bolt in fit.

L

tjvending · 12-04-2007, 02:49 PM

Any Shifter problems, and what should I use?

TJ

crazy longhorn · 12-04-2007, 03:56 PM

You will need a good 4 spd shifter.....Hurst is my choice. For your app , a hurst superspeedway, or Indy (a little cheaper) should do the trick. Best of luck,

L You may need to swap the shift handle(bolt on), as either of those shifter should come with a short /straight handle...

**special-K** · 12-04-2007, 07:16 PM

You`ll want a bench seat shifter,puts it forward a bit.

tjvending · 12-04-2007, 07:31 PM

Is the input bearing retainer om the front shaft? Do you have a picture? Is this easy to do? TJ

crazy longhorn · 12-05-2007, 08:09 AM

Its the pc that the throwout bearing slides on....4 bolts remove it from the front of the trans. You need to replace the gasket & an inner seal while you are in there, & it would be good insurance to replace the front bearing on the trans at this time. best of luck,

L

smoked68 · 12-05-2007, 05:10 PM

Did it in our 68,went from 3 on the tree to the muncie m-21, no issues. Had to fab a trans support though. The 3-spd just hung there in space, didnt like the looks of the m-21 just hanging there. No biggie..works great. Hurst pro-comp shifter...

manimal · 12-05-2007, 05:48 PM

I did the same thing on a Nova and didnt have to change the bearing retainer.
I'm confused now,cause I too am going to be doing this for a friend tomorrow. Thanks
-Lance

BTW I am doing it on a '69. saginaw 3spd for saginaw 4spd

bad6772 · 12-05-2007, 06:03 PM

will this swap work on 67s?? i have a thread with some questions........? i also have a 4speed saginaw.....but i have the smaller 67 3speed trans............thanks again tony

crazy longhorn · 12-06-2007, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manimal

I did the same thing on a Nova and didnt have to change the bearing retainer.
I'm confused now,cause I too am going to be doing this for a friend tomorrow. Thanks
-Lance

BTW I am doing it on a '69. saginaw 3spd for saginaw 4spd

The size of the center hole is a TRUCK issue.....no problem with the Nova. 68 up truck bells have a 5 1/8" centerhole, whereas the 67 & older were 4 11/16" (same as the car bell). Now dont be tempted to skip this check, the trans wont shift properly, & it can cause damage if the trans is not centered properly with the crankshaft!

L
.

tjvending · 12-11-2007, 06:21 PM

Did you do the job on the 3 sp to 4 sp> How did it go, let me know? TJ

tjvending · 12-11-2007, 06:22 PM

Did you do the change over on the 3sp to 4sp, let me low? TJ

bad6772 · 12-11-2007, 09:07 PM

ttt?????

tjvending · 12-11-2007, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bad6772

ttt?????

Responding to Manimal question.

TJ

crazy longhorn · 12-12-2007, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bad6772

will this swap work on 67s?? i have a thread with some questions........? i also have a 4speed saginaw.....but i have the smaller 67 3speed trans............thanks again tony

The 4 spd car trans will plug right into the 67 truck bell, as it has the proper sized center hole. The smaller 67 trans is shorter tho, & will require a slip yolk change, & shorten/balance the drive shaft. I run a 66 bell on my longhorn, with a 6 spd ROD plugged into it.....

L

manimal · 12-12-2007, 09:24 AM

Havent done it yet. My friend is waiting for the shifter to come in. Then I will be pulling it out and I'll take some pics and post 'em.
-Lance

12-04-2007, 09:11 AM	#1
tjvending Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: rockville, md Posts: 257	converting a 3 speed to 4 speed? 71 chevy Can someone tell me what's involved in switching my 3 speed to a 4 speed? My questions are: Will a 4-speed (saginaw) go right in as same as the 3-speed, will the same bellhousing work, will the drive shaft need to be re-done, so on... I have a 71 Chevy long bed, 350 3 speed on the floor I think its a Saginaw. Used to be on the column. I used it mostly for driving to work and a little fun, not really racing. Any help? I see a few 4 speed Saginaw on E-Bay for sale... $200 to $500 TJ Last edited by tjvending; 12-04-2007 at 09:15 AM.

12-04-2007, 09:49 AM	#2
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Re: converting a 3 spped to 4 speed? 71 chevy You need to swap the input bearing retainer from the 3 spd, to the 4 spd(saginaw), & will use a bolt & nut on the bottom 2 ears on the trans to bell. Otherwise its a bolt in fit. L __________________ 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....

12-04-2007, 02:49 PM	#3
tjvending Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: rockville, md Posts: 257	Re: converting a 3 spped to 4 speed? 71 chevy Any Shifter problems, and what should I use? TJ

12-04-2007, 03:56 PM	#4
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Re: converting a 3 spped to 4 speed? 71 chevy You will need a good 4 spd shifter.....Hurst is my choice. For your app , a hurst superspeedway, or Indy (a little cheaper) should do the trick. Best of luck, L You may need to swap the shift handle(bolt on), as either of those shifter should come with a short /straight handle... __________________ 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.... Last edited by crazy longhorn; 12-04-2007 at 03:58 PM. Reason: shift handle

12-04-2007, 07:16 PM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: converting a 3 spped to 4 speed? 71 chevy You`ll want a bench seat shifter,puts it forward a bit. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

12-04-2007, 07:31 PM	#6
tjvending Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: rockville, md Posts: 257	Re: converting a 3 spped to 4 speed? 71 chevy Is the input bearing retainer om the front shaft? Do you have a picture? Is this easy to do? TJ

12-05-2007, 08:09 AM	#7
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Re: converting a 3 spped to 4 speed? 71 chevy Its the pc that the throwout bearing slides on....4 bolts remove it from the front of the trans. You need to replace the gasket & an inner seal while you are in there, & it would be good insurance to replace the front bearing on the trans at this time. best of luck,L __________________ 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....

12-05-2007, 05:10 PM	#8
smoked68 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 421	Re: converting a 3 spped to 4 speed? 71 chevy Did it in our 68,went from 3 on the tree to the muncie m-21, no issues. Had to fab a trans support though. The 3-spd just hung there in space, didnt like the looks of the m-21 just hanging there. No biggie..works great. Hurst pro-comp shifter... __________________ 1968 chevy shortbed, Dark Shadow Gray 4 bolt 383 Stroker,Weiand Super Charger, disc brakes, 9 inch, 391 gear, 20" Eagle wheels, muncie 4 speed/ Hurst shifter, 4/7 drop, Hedman midlengths, 3 inch exhaust w/ 2 chamber flows. 1966 Mustang with 306 roller, c-4, 9 inch Detroit locker rear. 1965 Fastback Mustang w/347 stroker, top loader 4spd, 9 inch detroit locker. 1966 Mustang coup, 306 roller, c4, 9 inch. 65 Cobra, 427, T6oo, 9inch, of course. First gen Hayabusa, airbox mod and running 2 exhaust cams.. Zoom Zoom Zoom

12-05-2007, 05:48 PM	#9
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: converting a 3 spped to 4 speed? 71 chevy I did the same thing on a Nova and didnt have to change the bearing retainer. I'm confused now,cause I too am going to be doing this for a friend tomorrow. Thanks -Lance BTW I am doing it on a '69. saginaw 3spd for saginaw 4spd __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

12-05-2007, 06:03 PM	#10
bad6772 Official Site Guitar Shredder Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 3,955	Re: converting a 3 spped to 4 speed? 71 chevy will this swap work on 67s?? i have a thread with some questions........? i also have a 4speed saginaw.....but i have the smaller 67 3speed trans............thanks again tony

12-11-2007, 06:21 PM	#12
tjvending Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: rockville, md Posts: 257	Re: converting a 3 spped to 4 speed? 71 chevy Did you do the job on the 3 sp to 4 sp> How did it go, let me know? TJ

12-11-2007, 06:22 PM	#13
tjvending Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: rockville, md Posts: 257	Re: converting a 3 spped to 4 speed? 71 chevy Did you do the change over on the 3sp to 4sp, let me low? TJ

12-11-2007, 09:07 PM	#14
bad6772 Official Site Guitar Shredder Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 3,955	Re: converting a 3 spped to 4 speed? 71 chevy ttt?????

12-12-2007, 09:24 AM	#17
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: converting a 3 speed to 4 speed? 71 chevy Havent done it yet. My friend is waiting for the shifter to come in. Then I will be pulling it out and I'll take some pics and post 'em. -Lance __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT Last edited by manimal; 12-12-2007 at 09:24 AM.



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