oh this is just great...

[Project82]

well my transmission finally went out while i was driving home from work...its already removed, but im running into a dilema...i want a 4 speed or a 6 speed. but a 4 speed is more practical and easier to install. but my dad is saying i should go with a t/h350 again. but i really want a standard in my truck...what do you guys think? if i go with a manual trans. im gong to have to put bucket seats inside. which is more money to spend. and i have to find a pedal and linkage setup from another truck for mine, etc, etc...

the way i see it is, if i spend money on another auto. im not going to be as satisfied as i would with a manual trans, so if i come across a decent deal on a manual later on, ill have wasted my time and money on an auto right now. but another problem is i need my truck back so i can go to work. ive got like maybe 2 weeks. max. to get my truck up and running.

whats your opinion guys? auto or stick?

[vtwinsport]

The amount of city driving I do, I prefer an auto. I've had standards and liked them but myabe I'm just getting old and tired of spilling my coffee and trying to shift.

[swb85]

You don't need bucket seats to run a 4 speed, I've still got the factory bench in mine....just need a specific shifter handle. For me it's a no-brainer, three pedals or get out & walk.

[old Rusty C10]

stick has its pros and cons but if youre wanting to upgrade without having the money how about putting in a boneyard trans and running like that til you can lay the truck up and add your standard trans without cutting corners and all? and yeah ive had four speeds with a bench seat in my day

[fiddy9apache]

im switching to a built auto when i break my 5speed. its fun but an auto suites my needs more.

[Pyrotechnic]

If you can find the transmission, bellhousing, pedal assembly, and clutch linkage in a timely manner, go for it.

My personal decision was to keep my truck auto with a high stall converter and ratchet shifter on the floor, just because it's heavy and the motor makes a lot power. At this time it's my one and only vehicle, and being away from a garage with a full set of tools would make dealing with broken driveline parts tough.

In a light RWD car however, 3 pedals is the only way to go.

[Project82]

wow. thanks for all your input, guys. i really want it to be a standard. i really love shifting and being in control of the motor better...especially once i get my 383 built, too.

i found a m21 4speed on craigslist in houston, "fresh rebuild" and "ready to install" has shifter and linkage for 500 bucks...and i also found another m21 that was behind a big block chevy with bellhousing and clutch and flywheel and shifter...for 600 bucks...all i would need to find is the pedal assembly and fab up a crossmember and lengthen or shorten my new driveshaft. i hope i wont have to go to a 2-piece and what about the speedometer linkage and hook-up??? will it work with my factory t/h350 trans.?

if someone has some pictures of a 4-speed installed in a truck of this year range...that would be awesome!

thanks everyone!

[Walts_restoration]

ive seen a video of a blue one. I assume the shifter he is refering to is a 55-57 chevy with a bench seat and a 4 speed.

I like borg warners. 600-800 for a nice used one, requires th400 driveshaft (fine spline output) and fine spline input.


You can also go hydrolic or mechanical clutch. Depending on what year you pull parts from. If it were me, and youve never done a manual truck, get a cheap th350 for now (you more than likely have a th350c) and start collecting parts and memos of how people did 4 speed stuff so you dont get stuck half way through and end up sol.

[texassquarebodies]

Get a 350 turbo for now and plan for a stick conversion for later. With old trucks, atleast me, it always takes twice the time you think it will. Its your driver go 350 turbo...not that much money for a rebuilt one. Don't start the stick conversion till you have every part you need. Its easier that way.

[Project82]

yeah thats true. and i really just want my truck back. 'cause now im driving my parents vehicles, and i know they want my truck up and running asap. turbo 350 it is, for now.

i found a place thats selling some different power rated t/h350's and t/h400's, called Texas Performance Transmissions in Humble, Texas. i think im going to call them up and see what they've got or drive out there today with my old t/h350 and see about gettin the new one in my truck asap, i just wish i didnt have to work on the weekends....

thanks everyone!

[purplehavoc]

Like said in another post,if you can tie your truck up for a week,go with the manual swap if that is what you want.

I gathered all my parts for my manual swap and did it after work for a few nights.
Everything was straight forward and simple,just much nicer to have all your parts ready to go so your progress dosen't come to a hault.
Now you would never even know mine was a V6 auto originaly.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Project82

wow. thanks for all your input, guys. i really want it to be a standard. i really love shifting and being in control of the motor better...especially once i get my 383 built, too.

i found a m21 4speed on craigslist in houston, "fresh rebuild" and "ready to install" has shifter and linkage for 500 bucks...and i also found another m21 that was behind a big block chevy with bellhousing and clutch and flywheel and shifter...for 600 bucks...all i would need to find is the pedal assembly and fab up a crossmember and lengthen or shorten my new driveshaft. i hope i wont have to go to a 2-piece and what about the speedometer linkage and hook-up??? will it work with my factory t/h350 trans.?

if someone has some pictures of a 4-speed installed in a truck of this year range...that would be awesome!

thanks everyone!

The Muncie will not live long in a heavy truck with a built motor. I have broken quite a few in the past 23 years running my 68 Camaro. I am finally giving up on fixing it again because my knees are shot and it is painful to use a heavy clutch frequently so the Camaro is about to hit the road again with a T-400.

You need a truck trans like the SM465 or an NV4500 5-speed that was designed to handle the weight of the truck.

As soon as I find the T-400 donor truck I need to do the swap to my K20 it will be getting a T-400 or 4L80E in place of the SM465 4-speed. Probably won't happen soon enough for you to be able to use any of my 4-speed parts.

[scruffre]

I was going to go with a 4speed in my Blazer, but then I found this in a 86 half ton.

It's a 3 speed with overdrive (looking more for gas mileage). Got the whole set up (from hydrolic clutch to pedals and drive shafts) for $200.

[nechevy]

You can put in a 700r4 and have the best of both, the high first and the OD for the highway crusie and havent taken any bench seats out. Just had to make the detents to make sure I didnt burn the trans.