How long will it last??? 3 speed saginaw and new 383!!!!

[steveo3318]

Ok so I just bought the 67 a couple months ago and I was not happy with the engine. Just a freshen up turned into full eagle stroker kit, World heads, and a full roller build. My builder says respectively 425 to 475 hp easy with the parts I used. I am prob one of the only folks yall will ever hear this from, but I honestly was not wanting that much HP. But hey everything was bought and paid for before I ask.

So here is the question and lets get one thing strait before it even starts. "The only reason I bought the truck was the three on the tree" Its what I learned to drive on and I DO NOT want to change to an auto. AT ALL. Maybe when I am 70. I may consider a t56 swap from american powertrain later on down the road but love the three on the tree.

My driving habits are. I like to hear it. I don't catch gears, But i MAY want to ease into second and roll into it and let her break traction. Its not a track truck, it is limited slip even though I do want a locker. I don't care to do long burn outs. I will be pulling my ski boat with it occasionally.

Can I expect and explosion soon or maybe not? My biggest problem is going to be getting on it a little after I get into second. NO SPEED SHIFTS

[Ozzy2013]

Depends entirely on your driving habits !It can last just know there are limits.

[geezer#99]

I ran a sag 3.11 first gear 4 speed behind an LS6 454 450 horse for 3 months while I reworked the m22.
Be gentle and you'll still be rowing the tree when you get to 70.

[steveo3318]

Found a m22 locally. Might get it and convert the 3 on the tree to 4 on the tree with a pull handle for reverse. Anyone ever seen that?

[young grasshoppa]

subscribing, to see how long it lasts

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by steveo3318

Found a m22 locally. Might get it and convert the 3 on the tree to 4 on the tree with a pull handle for reverse. Anyone ever seen that?

Should be easy to do! Some well bent cold rolled steel, some modified shifter arm brackets and a boat load of patience is all you'll need.
I drove an old Nash and an old Austin that had a 4 on the tree.
I've seen 3ott shifters converted to run turbo 350's.

[stsalvage]

I just ran across this 3 weeks ago and a cast iron case is stronger then the rock crusher Alum case Plus the gear are not cut like the rock crusher the 3 speed will last do to its a lot stronger HP for a 3 speed Back 20 year ago we put a 427 up to a 3 speed it lasted better then the Drive shaft did

[steveo3318]

Originally Posted by young grasshoppa

subscribing, to see how long it lasts

Not funny!!! Ok it is lol

[midniteblues]

steveo your intentions are almost the same as mine.
besides the awesome deal i got on my 67 stepper the oe 3ott sealed the deal for me.

my project has gotten a mildly built 30 over 454 and a no ring sag 4psd.
I had my shift linkages all mocked up and it seemed too work fine. I had scrounged a few sets of linkages and levers from the jy too mix and match too get them too fit just right. but most of it is apart now for paint,and i still havent figured what i want too do for reverse yet.

i've had a few ideas that i toyed with.but the easyest i've thought of is just a cable like a choke cable but heavier and when you turn the handle it locks it in place i've seen "trans lock" cables from big trucks that gave me this idea.

another idea was too fab and mount a starter selinoid too the case and ad a adjustable rod too the reverse lever on the trans and add another high beam switch in the cab some where too activate reverse.

also i have a hand brake lever from a big truck that i thought of mounting too the floor just under the dr seat right under the right butt cheek.

my biggest problem is i dont want my interior too have a "weird" what the hail is that for look

I've consided just chuckin the 3 spd back behind the bbc just for sh*t & giggles.
my orignal plan as some may remember was too create the first 5ott but that would be really hard.

oh and dang near any trans would hold up its your right foot you gotta control.

[jhwkns]

It's the shock of a hard gear change, or dropping the clutch that breaks them. We used to beat on the 3 speed's in stock car's, and modified's. Look for an OD unit.

[old Chevy guy]

When I was younger a guy I knew had a 4 speed in an old flat nose Chevy van with a column shift, he rigged up some kind of shift for reverse so it wound up 4 on the tree and reverse was under the front seat. Always got a chuckle remembering that.

[Lattimer]

Those 3 speeds are actually pretty tough. As long as you aren't slamming gears or sidestepping the clutch you should be ok for a good long time.

[steveo3318]

Ok so I am digging the idea of a rock crusher Muncie m22 on the tree more and more. If anyone has any experience with the conversion please tell all info. I am on a couple leads to one right now. I may have to do a conversion thread. Lol

[rkn463]

Originally Posted by steveo3318

Found a m22 locally. Might get it and convert the 3 on the tree to 4 on the tree with a pull handle for reverse. Anyone ever seen that?

Yes, someone here on the board did it and as described it was pretty straight forward. At the moment I am supposed to be at work so I can't do any searches for it. Just go for it and let us know how you do it.

-Richard

[tinlid]

[QUOTE=steveo3318;6728361 "The only reason I bought the truck was the three on the tree" Its what I learned to drive on and I DO NOT want to change to an auto. AT ALL. Maybe when I am 70. [/QUOTE]
Wo, I turned 70 last month and I still drive 3 on the tree but it is going away for a 5 spd. Age has nothing to do with it (grin).

[steveo3318]

Originally Posted by tinlid

Wo, I turned 70 last month and I still drive 3 on the tree but it is going away for a 5 spd. Age has nothing to do with it (grin).

That's what I am talking about. Around here it hilarious to be at the red light and people admiring the truck. Then when they see you shift and realize its a standard they get the biggest lost looks on their faces. I hope to be rowing it into my 70s. In more forms than my truck if you know what I mean lol

[19673ontree]

Ok if you have a syncro saginaw 3 speed you will NOT break it ! Those are bullett proof ! The saginaw 4 speed is a little stronger than a toothpick but not much they break while parked and are basically junk , the sag 3 speed is tough as nails and I love them ! I learned to drive on dads truck I could actually shift the gears before I could reach the pedals LOL I was trying to remember if ive ever seen one broke ? I cant ever remember one being broke ? We had one that was buried out in the yard one time and it was full of water and mud we washed it out and it whined and turned the oil rust colored for a while but we drove it several years and sold the truck it was in still working good ,,,, so the above fellow that posted he was suscribed to see how long till you broke it ? He will be waiting a while ,,,,,,,,,

[steveo3318]

It is a synchro Saginaw. I believe it will last as long as I baby it. But I am going to start rounding up parts for a rock crusher. Tge thought of a four speed on the tree is sneaky sneaky funny funny to me

[19673ontree]

Originally Posted by steveo3318

It is a synchro Saginaw. I believe it will last as long as I baby it. But I am going to start rounding up parts for a rock crusher. Tge thought of a four speed on the tree is sneaky sneaky funny funny to me

The 4 speed will be fun but you dont have to baby the 3 speed you can burn the tires off and the sag 3 speed will take it !

[steveo3318]

Originally Posted by 19673ontree

The 4 speed will be fun but you dont have to baby the 3 speed you can burn the tires off and the sag 3 speed will take it !

I am pretty sure I will find out around the middle of July when I get it back together, LOL Thanks for your input and I hope your right!!! I believe they are alot tuffer than people give them credit for also.

[Ozzy2013]

Yes you can run a 4 speed on the tree just hook up a solenoid or cable shift for reverse .A friend of mine had one 20 years ago.I found a nv 4500 for mine ive racked my brain trying to figure a way to do it on the tree !Ha ha

[steveo3318]

So heres a question for some of you knowledgeable guys!!! Can I still use my factory bellhousing, and Brand new 12" clutch thats on my saginaw now and just bolt the muncie right up to the back of it as long as its a 10 spline input shaft like my saginaw???

[Ozzy2013]

Sure can !

[steveo3318]

Awesome. I am thinking recoup a couple weeks on this hit from the engine build and start saving up for the 800 hp rated super case m22. It's a extremely better built rock crusher with Italian gears and way better parts.

Any thoughts on it being a close ratio m22 with me swapping out to 308 rear gears?

[Ozzy2013]

Yea that will be a great rear for cruising and with the torque from the big block it will still get out of the hole great.