Automatic or Manual Transmission

[ECU PIRATE]

Tyring to get a consensus on what would be better for the new Blazer project. Since I am sans motor and trans on the truck, I am thinking about converting it to 4 spd from automatic. Is this wise or should I just drop another TH350 or TH400 in it. I will be running a mildly modified 350 in it

[tvblazer78]

Originally Posted by ECU PIRATE

Tyring to get a consensus on what would be better for the new Blazer project. Since I am sans motor and trans on the truck, I am thinking about converting it to 4 spd from automatic. Is this wise or should I just drop another TH350 or TH400 in it. I will be running a mildly modified 350 in it

It,s all up to you, do you like to change gears? If so then change it out! You can find the parts and change it over easy. Just my two cents..

[ECU PIRATE]

Thanks for your input Travis. I might actually make the swap. I figure this time, I am going to have a game plan and not just go with the flow on this build. I still have the old Saginaw my dad and I pulled out of one of my 68' Camaros back in the late 80's. It's complete including the bellhousing, flywheel, etc. Although only a 3 spd. it was mated with a 350. I might just check the local yard this weekend and see if I can find a Muncie 4 spd, all of the linkage and a drive shaft out of a truck. Found a new yard that has about 10 square bodies in it included an early 70's Blazer w/ a full convertible top

Mike

[Hottrucks]

what are you going to use it for?? do you sit in traffic alot....I think the answer will come to you as soon as you break down the driving your going to do......

[ECU PIRATE]

Originally Posted by Hottrucks

what are you going to use it for?? do you sit in traffic alot....I think the answer will come to you as soon as you break down the driving your going to do......

It is going to be my weekend cruiser and play toy. My current commute to work is 4.5 miles door to door (about 15-20 minutes in rush hour traffic)

[Hottrucks]

well all I can say is if you live in a high traffic area then go auto......I as once told that unless your MR. PERFECT than you will never be able to shift as fast or as dead on as an automatic they never miss a gear and always keep the motor in a good power ban......I'm runing a auto with a shift kit and I think it's the best thing.....I can still get a little second gear when I lean on it

[68Timber]

Mike, if this is for the 77 2wd Blazer in your sig, I'd consider going for a passenger car 4-speed or even 5-speed. The 2wd Blazer is right around 4000 lbs and is relatively light compared to what's on dealership lots now. A truck manual tranny isn't really required and if you do get one from the era appropriate to the truck, it's not going to be a quick-shifting job. You might be able to use a NV3500 5-speed that was used in 88-98 trucks but I'm not sure if it has a manual clutch or if it's hydraulic assist. Check your options and you could put together a fun driver with overdrive and still keep it to parts/trannys available in any junkyard. I'd like to see you do it. I considered it but decided to KISS.

[ECU PIRATE]

Thanks John. I found a 82' @ one of the local yards that had a manual trannie. Everything was still there. I already shot the guy and email to see if I could get my hands on the pedal assembly and linkage as well as the bell housing. I am going to double check the Camaro transmission I have in my Dad's shed. It may be a 4 spd Muncie or Saginaw ( I haven't really looked @ it closely since 87'). Everything was in good shape when we pulled it. The Camaro had a blown motor (only paid $ 250.00 for the car) I may have to change a few things on the Blazer (wiring) but, the swap may be easy.

[68Timber]

I hope it works out, sticks should be mandatory in a toy.

[ECU PIRATE]

Found all of the linkage and pedal assembly from a member (KrazyRay). Now I am on the hunt for the transmission. Going to use a car trans instead of a SM465 or NV3500

[68Timber]

You don't like the NV3500? I would think that would be ideal - just for the overdrive. But I have no idea if the clutch is manual or hydraulic assist or how the speedo cable would hook up.

[ECU PIRATE]

I would rather keep it old skool and run the Muncie, Borg Warner or, Sagiaw 4 spd for nostalgia's sake. Nothing against the NV3500 or anything. This won't be my daily driver so might as well hot rod it and see what kind of damage we can cause on the local streets. A lot of guys around here are running the newer model Mustangs and shaking the streets at the same time

[mongoose]

how mild is your 350? and how sticky are your tires?

saggy isn't really the best thing to run behind anything over 100hp.. that's what i have and that's what i'll be running in my blazer... but i'm not expecting it to last... running it until i can afford a tko-600.

also the t5's out of camaros don't really like the power either.

[ECU PIRATE]

Originally Posted by mongoose

how mild is your 350? and how sticky are your tires?

saggy isn't really the best thing to run behind anything over 100hp.. that's what i have and that's what i'll be running in my blazer... but i'm not expecting it to last... running it until i can afford a tko-600.

also the t5's out of camaros don't really like the power either.

I bought the 350 a couple of months ago from an old Army combat vet who has been building engines since 63'. Engine was rebuilt about 8 years ago (50 or 60K on it). He dropped an Edelbrock 3702 cam & lifters in. With all of the work he did, he claimed about 280-290 hp. I am probably going to drop on a new intake manifold and carb and get my father's mechanic to run threw again @ some point. I have a line on a Muncie M21 that is in need of a rebuild for $ 175.00 so, this might be the ticket

[ECU PIRATE]

So I managed to get my hands on a long tail TH350 from my sister-in-law's uncle for free. The problem is I do not want to shorten my drive shaft and I want to convert the Hornet to manual. Had some input and most say stay away from the Saginaws....... I am leaning more and more to dropping that old 68' Camaro Saginaw in the truck. More money for a different radiator,crossmember, etc. Am I crazy or should I just get a short tail TH350 rebuild it and drop it in? Nothing like attempting to bang threw some gears even if it is only a 3 spd. Any or you guys running a converted column shift 3 spd that have some pictures of where you cut the hole in the floor pan for the shifter? Additionally, am I going to need to get my crank modified for the pilot bearing?

[scruffre]

I just went trough the process of going from auto to standard. I went the hydraulic route. It was a whole lot easier to pop 3 holes in the firewall than mess around trying to install the linkage. I got the set up from a 87 1/2 ton

here's a link to the build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=399439

[ECU PIRATE]

Originally Posted by scruffre

I just went trough the process of going from auto to standard. I went the hydraulic route. It was a whole lot easier to pop 3 holes in the firewall than mess around trying to install the linkage. I got the set up from a 87 1/2 ton

here's a link to the build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=399439

I thought about it but, I already have everything for the mechanical hook up with the exception of some clutch return springs. Too bad T10's and Muncies are so expensive in my neck of the woods. I should have bought 20 years ago and hung on to them