3 speed transmission question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Russell Ashley · 03-22-2015, 11:14 AM

When did GM start using 3 speed transmissions with synchronized first gear? I want to stick with the column shift but would like to upgrade a little to an all syncro transmission. My current transmission is a Muncie which is newer but is not all syncro, and it's noisey in 2nd gear, especially when I downshift to slow down. What would be a good donor to look for at Pull-A-Part for this?

Wrenchbender Ret · 03-22-2015, 11:19 AM

68 up.

Russell Ashley · 03-23-2015, 09:11 AM

Thanks. I'll try Pull-A-Part and see what I can find. I'm guessing that 3 speed transmissions are not one of their hottest selling items.

67GMCkid · 03-23-2015, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

Thanks. I'll try Pull-A-Part and see what I can find. I'm guessing that 3 speed transmissions are not one of their hottest selling items.

If you are in a area that has any amount of dirt track racing, they can be hens teeth to find!

Around here they have been extinct for the past 15 years.

solidaxel · 03-23-2015, 09:35 AM

You know a Saginaw 4 speed will fit but the shifter will hit the seat and it is all syncro

**mr48chev** · 03-23-2015, 10:03 AM

He can't use the column shifter with a Saginaw 4 speed though and that is one of the criteria for his wanting the later syncro 3 speeds.

I ran one in my 48 for a lot of miles Russel and they work well. You may have to do a bit of shift arm tweaking to get one to work right with your column shift though. I swapped the 3 speed shifter over from my older open drive three speed on mine so I didn't have the column shift to tinker with.

You will probably have to change the yoke on the driveshaft to a fine spline yoke if you are already running open drive.

03-22-2015, 11:14 AM	#1
Russell Ashley Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga Posts: 2,648	3 speed transmission question When did GM start using 3 speed transmissions with synchronized first gear? I want to stick with the column shift but would like to upgrade a little to an all syncro transmission. My current transmission is a Muncie which is newer but is not all syncro, and it's noisey in 2nd gear, especially when I downshift to slow down. What would be a good donor to look for at Pull-A-Part for this?

03-22-2015, 11:19 AM	#2
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,229	Re: 3 speed transmission question 68 up.

03-23-2015, 09:11 AM	#3
Russell Ashley Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga Posts: 2,648	Re: 3 speed transmission question Thanks. I'll try Pull-A-Part and see what I can find. I'm guessing that 3 speed transmissions are not one of their hottest selling items.

03-23-2015, 09:35 AM	#5
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: 3 speed transmission question You know a Saginaw 4 speed will fit but the shifter will hit the seat and it is all syncro __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

03-23-2015, 10:03 AM	#6
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,732	Re: 3 speed transmission question He can't use the column shifter with a Saginaw 4 speed though and that is one of the criteria for his wanting the later syncro 3 speeds. I ran one in my 48 for a lot of miles Russel and they work well. You may have to do a bit of shift arm tweaking to get one to work right with your column shift though. I swapped the 3 speed shifter over from my older open drive three speed on mine so I didn't have the column shift to tinker with. You will probably have to change the yoke on the driveshaft to a fine spline yoke if you are already running open drive. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.



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