Newbie: I Need Transmission Help

[63_C10]

Hi, I'm a newbie and need help with transmissions. I owne a '63 C-10 longbed stepside. It has a 230 L6 in it with a 3 on the tree. Transmission is popping out of 3rd and the clutch is bad. I would like to switch it over to a 3 speed saginaw because I like the sychronizers in first gear, and I'd also like to keep the shifter on the tree. I understand that I will have to get my drive shaft cut because the saginaw is a longer transmission. Can anyone steer me in the right direction as to what truck or car I can yank it out of. Lot's of appreciation in advance!

[rodnok1]

Saginaws are pretty much junk unless you baby them. Any beating at all and most break. I would rebuild your trans and live with no 1st gear syncos. Easy and cheaper

[SkylineNXS]

What do you consider babying? Ive got the 3 with the syncros and mines great, shifts real nice, and i learned on it, so ive been grindin the gears for a while, and its still really nice...for 40 yrs old...

BRAD

[63_C10]

i had a '66 years ago, was my first vehicle, and it had a 3 speed saginaw. i dogged the mess out of it, clutch and trans were both good when i traded it.

[MikeN]

The 66 and later all-synchro Saginaws are beefier than the earlier units. You will have to get shift rods from a 66-up truck if you swap to the later transmission, or modify your original shift rods.

I'm currently working on a similar swap. My original 64 tranny is toast, and pops out of 3rd just like yours. I found a heavy duty Muncie 3-speed from a 71 Chevelle with 402 big block. I picked up some shift rods from a 69 C10, and I'm getting my clutch and pressure plate rounded up this week. I hope to tackle the swap over the Thanksgiving holiday. I don't think the driveshaft needs to be shortened, but it's not a big deal if it does.

[55dude]

are you hauling anything in your truck? if not the way gas is consider a t-5 your trans is junk now along with the clutch. you could hit the pick-a-part and get a t-5 and even maybe a good used clutch for under $200 bucks. might even find one on craigslist.

[Volvo_Matt]

I grenaded 2 3 speeds in 2 years....I then decided to go with a muncie 21 4 speed and added a hurst shifter on the floor (was column shifter). 8 years later, the M-21 is shifting strong.

[63_C10]

i wanted to keep as close to original as possible, but i plan on keeping the truck for as long as i can. with that said, i am considering a 4 speed on the floor swap. what cars or trucks can i get that out of?