GM 3 spd Manual Trans Guru needed

M

mikiesride

Member
Is there a build code/name for these trans or a RPO code other than its a Saginaw or a Muncie. You know like the 4 spd Muncie "M22" is called. I have tried the Google Search till I am Blue in the face but cant find much on the 3 speeds them selves, 4 spd info all day long. Seams like the 3 spd's have a "Plague" or something like that for information goes.
Any help or links would be appreciated. Thanks, Mikie
 
posting clear detailed pictures of the transmission from several angles may help us identify your transmission.

http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_cat...haul_kits/muncie_3_speed_ld_overhaul_kit.html

http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_catalog/manual_transmission_overhaul_kits/saginaw_3_speeds.html

https://www.transmissionpartsdistributors.com/saginaw-3-4-speed/

https://www.midwesttrans.com/Saginaw_3_4_Speed_Manual_Transmission.html

https://www.midwesttrans.com/Saginaw_3 Speed_Manual_Transmission.html

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/shop/saginaw-3-speed~1024-29

https://www.rockauto.com/?a=G

https://www.gmpartsstore.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImpGpnqnx4AIVDzBpCh1NrwHDEAMYAyAAEgItc_D_BwE

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The Chevrolet low power cars typical had the Saginaw 3-speed transmission standard.

Oldsmobile was an upscale car right below a Cadillac.
Usually had an automatic trans.
Some Performance models like 442 used the Muncie 4-speed.
And rare cars now Fullsize like Starfire had a Muncie 4 optional.

Pontiac GTO 1964 & 1965 stock used a Dearborn Ford Toploader RUG 3-speed manual in base 4-bbl cars.
Later in the Muscle era a Muncie 3-speed was used in base cars.
There were some GTO Judges built with a Muncie 3-speed. And 1969 Trans Am RA3 had 3-speed Muncie standard.
Most bought with A Muncie 4 or Turbo 400 Auto.
1970 Trans Am all have a TH400 or Muncie 4.
1970 Formula Firebird Ram Air / RA3 engine had A Muncie 3-speed standard equipment.
Muncie 3-speed had a Cast Iron case.
Was known to be bullet proof.

It's been 40 years since Hotrod and Car Craft published RPO codes on 3-speeds.
I recall articles.
Sorry best I can recall for you tonight from Memory.
 
Borg Warner made 3-speed manual transmissions too.
Be 1955-57 to 1962 era.
Found in Higher power Chevies.

Borg Warner 3 became the Borg Warner T10.
Then GM Made thier own design Muncie 4-speed.

Fullsize Widetrack Pontiacs used Borg Warner T10 till 1962.
Then 1963 -64 Muncie 4 used.

I recall the 1962 Super Duty 421 Catalina had a Borg Warner 3 speed standard.
Many guys did not believe in the extra shift of A Borg Warner 4.
4-speed was optional.
All stick cars. No Auto trans existed to take True 500-550 Hp those Pontiacs Had.

Turbo 400 came out in 1964.
Cadillac used it 1st exclusive.
Then Pontiac and Oldsmobile got it in 1965.

The Strongest 3-speed of all was the early Cadillac LaSalle 1939-48.
Same trans was kept around used in Early Oldsmobile Holiday Coupe 1950.
 
The History on manual transmissions is interesting.
All started with a 3-speed.

That Cadillac Lasalle is a Kool Trans.
Gears inside Big.
It's a Bottom Loader style.
Mickey Thompson used with His Supercharged Pontiac V8s on Nitromethane.
Challanger had 4 Engines.
4 Cadillac LaSalle 3 -speeds.
Engines put out over 750 Hp each 1960 year.
 
mikiesride said:
Is there a build code/name for these trans or a RPO code other than its a Saginaw or a Muncie. You know like the 4 spd Muncie "M22" is called. I have tried the Google Search till I am Blue in the face but cant find much on the 3 speeds them selves, 4 spd info all day long. Seams like the 3 spd's have a "Plague" or something like that for information goes.
Any help or links would be appreciated. Thanks, Mikie
Click to expand...


********* Up Date ********* Was just after information like the RPO codes on a 3 spd (5 hole mount) Saginaw cast iron case & a 3 spd HD Muncie cast iron case. The Saginaw has date codes as 3 & 4 so thinking like 73/74. Now the 3 spd Muncie has date codes ending in 0 so this one I know came from a 70 C10 I personally know this 100%. Didn't think I needed pics for info. Will dig some up if needed though.
 
Maniacmechanic1 said:
Borg Warner made 3-speed manual transmissions too.
Be 1955-57 to 1962 era.
Found in Higher power Chevies.

Borg Warner 3 became the Borg Warner T10.
Then GM Made thier own design Muncie 4-speed.

Fullsize Widetrack Pontiacs used Borg Warner T10 till 1962.
Then 1963 -64 Muncie 4 used.

I recall the 1962 Super Duty 421 Catalina had a Borg Warner 3 speed standard.
Many guys did not believe in the extra shift of A Borg Warner 4.
4-speed was optional.
All stick cars. No Auto trans existed to take True 500-550 Hp those Pontiacs Had.

Turbo 400 came out in 1964.
Cadillac used it 1st exclusive.
Then Pontiac and Oldsmobile got it in 1965.

The Strongest 3-speed of all was the early Cadillac LaSalle 1939-48.
Same trans was kept around used in Early Oldsmobile Holiday Coupe 1950.
Click to expand...


As for the Cadillac using the TH400 first in 1964, think you might be a little wrong there. I had a 1957 Cadillac with a 365ci 300HP and 365 ft lbs tq. and it had a 400 auto trans just might have been the TH400 but in its early stages of it.
 
mikiesride said:
As for the Cadillac using the TH400 first in 1964, think you might be a little wrong there. I had a 1957 Cadillac with a 365ci 300HP and 365 ft lbs tq. and it had a 400 auto trans just might have been the TH400 but in its early stages of it.
Click to expand...
Somebody Transplanted the Turbo 400.
 
mikiesride said:
As for the Cadillac using the TH400 first in 1964, think you might be a little wrong there. I had a 1957 Cadillac with a 365ci 300HP and 365 ft lbs tq. and it had a 400 auto trans just might have been the TH400 but in its early stages of it.
Click to expand...
Turbo 400 was original supposed to be a 1-1/2 Ton Truck Trans.
Power Race was on in cars.
GM had nothing to hold up.
Chevy just had the 2-speed Power Glide...Slip and glide...great trans today built for Fast Drag race.
Pontiac had the best in Bonneville. The Super Hydromatic 4-speed. Failed at 400 Hp typical.

Cadillac got the Turbo 400 in 1964.
1 year bellhousing trans.
Test bed.
 
Maniacmechanic1 said:
Somebody Transplanted the Turbo 400.
Click to expand...
Nope my father bought it New. I'll have to re research what I posted but pretty sure I read somewhere it had a 400 in it and it was an auto trans. Not trying to bump heads with you just I do remember reading what I said. no harm no foul.
 
mikiesride said:
Nope my father bought it New. I'll have to re research what I posted but pretty sure I read somewhere it had a 400 in it and it was an auto trans. Not trying to bump heads with you just I do remember reading what I said. no harm no foul.
Click to expand...
Lol.

My info comes from the Turbo 400 Book Bible.
Costed me $120 to buy off of Amazon.
Last published in 1987.
 
Still can't find what I read about a Cadillac. Going over and over in my mind and now I think what I read was it was/is a Hydromatic 400 4 speed but now what comes to me is it was a 400 series or it was a "Hydromatic 400" I think, leaning towards the "400 series" transmission. Maybe being a pre TH400 but back then calling it a Hydromatic 400.
 
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Now my Saginaw (5hole mount) HD-3 spd 1963/64, 1973/74 or maybe 1983/84 not sure for this one yet. The date codes from Main Case & Side Cover ends in 3 but the Tail Housing ends in a 4, And the partial Vin on the Main Case passenger side set of stamping (C4Z140496) the second digit is a 4 meaning year of vehicle 64,74 or even 84. Maybe someone can explain that one to me. Saginaw 3 speed 013.jpg Saginaw 3 speed 014.jpg Saginaw 3 speed 015.jpg Saginaw 3 speed 017.jpg Saginaw 3 speed 023.jpg Saginaw 3 speed 025.jpg Saginaw 3 speed 026.jpg Saginaw 3 speed 027.jpg Saginaw 3 speed 003.jpg Saginaw 3 speed 009.jpg
 
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20190301_144715.jpeg 20190301_144832.jpeg 20190301_144841.jpeg

Pictures above for the Bell Housing in the parts lot I bought along with the Saginaw HD 3 spd. This parts lot has this Bell Housing that has a "Small" brg retainer (4.11/16") dia, Trucks have a (5.1/8"). So far all I have found out for the Saginaw 3 spd (5hole) is its a "Truck" HD trans hence the 5 hole bit...... But this Bell Housing that came with the parts lot has two Bell Housing lower Cross Member mounts for a truck and a brg retainer small hole for a Car <-(wtfdihh)? What I have found out about the Bell Housing Cross Member mount areas is Trucks have whats pictured above one Threaded Hole and one Indexing Pin, and Cars having two Threaded holes or just through holes no indexing pin. Above (wtfdihh)= what the f_ _ _ do I have here.
 
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Grumpy said:
thank you for posting the pictures,
It may help in finding related and hopefully useful info.
I hope someone reading the thread has the info you require

https://www.google.com/search?q=sag...i=tICGXOCSHdHHjgSJ1omwAw#imgrc=JLgkIHaOp4rQnM:

http://macswebs.com/6667demo/66cd/etr/transmission/manual.htm
Click to expand...
I hope so also. Just can't find very much info from "Googling & Forums"wise on GM's 3 spd manual transmissions. 4 spd's all day long but when it comes to a 3 spds its like they (3 spds) have a "Plague"to them.
 
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