Muncie to a Chevy 230?

[chevylookin]

Hello, I am new to the forum. Im Ryan. I have a 64 short fleetside that Ive had for years. Recently, with gas prices on the rise, Im thinkin of givin up my 07 Silverado Fuel-sucking hog, and just making my ole trusty 64 street savvy. So far, I have split the exhaust on the original L6 230. Not that I think it increases HP, but just sounds great on a 6 banger! I have also swapped out the rear gears from 3:73 to 3:08's hoping this would satisfy my attempt to getting her on the freeway in the cruising lane. It kinda did but I am still taching at 2700 at about 70. By the way, I have the original 4 speed manual which uses 1st gear to rip out tree stumps goin uphill. Whereas this is a bullet proof and dependable transmission, my left knee and wallet desire essentially (a 4th gear). I love the straight six in this truck, I dont want to part with it. I have plans to build it mildly and achieve hopefully 170-200 HP with it. My question is: can you or has anyone hooked up a Muncie M-whatever to a 230? In my research, I can find no info. on this. I am unfamiliar with Muncie's. I want to keep the 4 on the floor but looks like Muncie only makes floor shift 4 speeds? I apologize if I seem uninformed but is there an easy stick shift 4 speed with first gear starting out in the mid 2:00's that I can bolt on & go? After I make my driveshaft of course! Thank you forum.

[markeb01]

Welcome to the forum Ryan. Swapping to a passenger car 4 speed transmission will give you one more usable gear to replace the current granny low, but won’t help your cruising rpm at all. Both transmissions are direct drive in 4th gear, so engine rpm will be the same at any speed in high gear.

I’m not an expert on the inline sixes but believe the 63 and up bellhousing uses the same transmission mounting pattern as the V8 engines, so any manual 3 speed, Muncie, Borg Warner, or Richmond 4 speed will bolt right up. The clutch plate just needs to have the same spline count as the transmission input shaft.

To obtain better freeway mileage you’ll need to swap in a transmission with an overdrive high gear, like a T5. There are a number of threads on the best transmission to acquire. If you have trouble finding one of these links post again. I’m sure somebody can help out with more input. When you get a chance post a pic of your truck, everybody here loves pictures.

[chevylookin]

Thanks Mr. Markebo1! I will try to get a pic of her up soon. This was the first and will be the last truck I ever own! Anyways, thanks for the info. I never thought about that but now, of course, it makes perfect sense. I will be in 4th gear and in direct drive with any 4 speed with 1:1. When you say T5, are you talking about the Tremec 5 & 6 speeds?

[Stepside65]

T5's were the stock manual transmissions in mid 80's s-10's and camaros. IIRC the camaro trans bolts up and has the correct spines on the input shaft but has the shifter all the way on the tail end of the thing. The camaro t5 typically has a lower final drive gear 0.73 I think compared the the s-10's at 0.82. I could be wrong though. Looking forward to seeing what you have to work with. We are all gearheads to one extend or another on this board. Welcome from SE New Mexico.

[geezer#99]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313954

Lots of info here for you.