where is 3 speed manual trans drain plug?

[hplacecf]

hi.

newbie here.

trying to find the drain plug for a 3 speed manual trans.

just bought a
1977
c10
250 engine
3 speed manual trans.

I am changing out all of the fluids and belts and hoses. so far, so good.

I am at the point where I want to change the manual trans fluid.

I found the fill plug (man, is it on tight, but that is another story...), but I can't find the drain plug.

I searched the net, this forum, the Haynes and Chilton books, and can't find a pic of the drain plug.

I see other bolts that look like they hold the trans together, but no drain plug - at least no OBVIOUS drain plug.

does anyone know where it is and/or have a pic to share?

many thanks!

[INSIDIOUS '86]

There was two 3 speeds as I remember you could have a Saginaw or a Muncie 465. On the sm465 it's below the trans at the lowest point.
Posted via Mobile Device

[geezer#99]

Your saginaw never got one. You need to use a vac pump to extract it.
However I've used a turkey baster. Stop laughing! It works. Or a huge syringe works too!

[ol'blazer]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Your saginaw never got one. You need to use a vac pump to extract it.
However I've used a turkey baster. Stop laughing! It works. Or a huge syringe works too!

nothing wrong with the turkey baster! it works! ive one on old dirtbikes a lot haha

[hplacecf]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

There was two 3 speeds as I remember you could have a Saginaw or a Muncie 465. On the sm465 it's below the trans at the lowest point.
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks.

I see nothing below the trans, so I am guessing I have a Saginaw. any ideas about that?

[INSIDIOUS '86]

You can unbolt it and turn it sideways with the cover off. Get to inspect your gears and synchros that way. Just don't pull it out of the bell housing
Posted via Mobile Device

[hplacecf]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Your saginaw never got one. You need to use a vac pump to extract it.
However I've used a turkey baster. Stop laughing! It works. Or a huge syringe works too!

thanks.

why do you think the Saginaw does not have a drain? (other than me not finding one... ) I am thinking there must be a way to service it.

[geezer#99]

Your tranny has a seven bolt side cover. I had one in a 74. Even the muncie car 4 speeds didn't have a drain unless it was an M22.

[CSGAS]

The servicing concept was, "Return to the dealership so we can sell you more maintenance and repairs, too."

Also, on economy trannies, engineers were under pressure from the infamous "bean-counters" that ruled the Corporations at the time. The fewer separate parts used in any assembly, the less the cost is to produce the assembly. Betcha someone at the topped, who raced using an M-22, had to send out a memo to get the plug back in that one...or fire someone. :-D

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

There was two 3 speeds as I remember you could have a Saginaw or a Muncie 465. On the sm465 it's below the trans at the lowest point.
Posted via Mobile Device

The sm465 is a heavy duty top loading 4 speed.
Posted via Mobile Device

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

The sm465 is a heavy duty top loading 4 speed.
Posted via Mobile Device

Heavy duty? Or a indestructible tank? All I cac tell was it still makes a fully loaded small block lean back like crazy on the lift. Mine has a drain plug on the bottom. The sm465 is a Muncie trans as well but not the kind of Muncie we all want
Posted via Mobile Device

[Tx Firefighter]

I'm different on that. I'd take a 465 over two of the car 4 speeds. But, I need strength and don't care about weight or any form of speed of shifting.
Posted via Mobile Device

[hplacecf]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Your tranny has a seven bolt side cover. I had one in a 74. Even the muncie car 4 speeds didn't have a drain unless it was an M22.

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

You can unbolt it and turn it sideways with the cover off. Get to inspect your gears and synchros that way. Just don't pull it out of the bell housing
Posted via Mobile Device

ouch! not sure if I am up to that yet.

but, if I wanted to give it a try, and leave the trans connected, is that seven bolt cover on the driver side?

does it come down to:
disconnecting any linkage,
unbolt the seven bolts and remove the panel,
drain out what I can (however I can) and clean it out,
and put it all back together with a new gasket?

Thanks

[Tx Firefighter]

Here you go. It won't get all of the fluid out, but it will get most of it.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=348394
Posted via Mobile Device

[hplacecf]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Here you go. It won't get all of the fluid out, but it will get most of it.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=348394
Posted via Mobile Device

thanks!

maybe I will get lucky.

I will give that a try and report back.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I'm different on that. I'd take a 465 over two of the car 4 speeds. But, I need strength and don't care about weight or any form of speed of shifting.
Posted via Mobile Device

You can supercase the muncies but building a strong 4sp Muncie is expensive as hell
Posted via Mobile Device

[Tx Firefighter]

I hear you on upgrading the small 4 speeds. I kind of take the attitude to always try to use a heavier duty unit rather than attempt to fortify something lighter.

It's like the old saying. "Why build a 300 horsepower Honda when you can buy a 300 horsepower V8 cheaper and easier". The V8 will be less hassle and easier. It just won't have the novelty of a high strung little engine.

I once built a 150 horsepower VW stroked engine with every good part money could buy. It wound up being about as fast as my wife's stock 5.0L Mustang and it was a temperamental little ***** to live with where the Mustang went 200k miles with only oil changes.
Posted via Mobile Device

[hplacecf]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Here you go. It won't get all of the fluid out, but it will get most of it.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=348394
Posted via Mobile Device

Saginaw 3 speed manual transmission DRAIN PLUG FOUND!

it was as quoted in the above post - the bottom bolt at the rear of the main trans housing - the same housing that the fill hole is part of.


it looks like just another bolt.
i loosened it - it had a washer on it.
I carefully took out the bolt and washer and out flowed the fluid!

quite frankly, it does not look like a drain plug, it looked like just another bolt.

very unusual design.

Thanks to all for the replies!

[CSGAS]

Wow, I'm glad that came up on a thread I got subscribed to. I wouldn't have pulled that bolt unless I was swapping a tailshaft.

It still saves on parts, so I'll have to remember that when looking for drain plugs on other transmissions too.

I wonder if magnetic drain plugs are available in that size, or if I'd have to make one. Hmm...