Transmission swap options 3 spd column

[ljackson]

My son drives his '64 daily. He loves rowing through the gears on the column. He would like to have a synchronized transmission. I've been looking locally for months for a good transmission from a newer truck to swap out. No luck yet finding a 3 speed at a salvage yard. A forum member has offered a 3 speed from a '73 GMC V8 pickup. It looks different from most of the pics I have seen from the 68 – 87 trucks on the web. Can you tell me what is it? Will it be a direct fit? Am I correct in that if it came from a GM V8 pickup, it will work in the '64?

[chris mc bride]

Should not be a problem.Back in my young days I had 66pu with 3 spd and put 14 in it in less than year.Both feet on floor and yanking left up will do that. I bought 3 spds out of every model chevy around and never had issue. Getting ready to yank the one in my 69anel and replace with 4l80e.

[Tx Firefighter]

What you pictured is a Saginaw 3 speed. I just took one out of my 74 last week when I swapped to an auto trans.



They are good sturdy fully synchronized transmissions and a good candidate to replace your current SM318 non synchro first gear trans.

[ljackson]

chris mc bride and Tx Firefighter, Thanks for the help. I will get it coming this way. Does the GM car have a different size bearing retainer than the trucks? I have read that is is smaller.

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by ljackson

chris mc bride and Tx Firefighter, Thanks for the help. I will get it coming this way. Does the GM car have a different size bearing retainer than the trucks? I have read that is is smaller.

The bearing retainer is larger on the 68-up trucks (5 1/8" vs 4 11/16 on the car trans). However, on your 64, the car trans will fit the centerhole on your stock bell (through 67) You will need a nut/bolt combo, on the bottom 2 bolts (trans to bell), but no issues. Longhorn

[ljackson]

Originally Posted by crazy longhorn

The bearing retainer is larger on the 68-up trucks (5 1/8" vs 4 11/16 on the car trans). However, on your 64, the car trans will fit the centerhole on your stock bell (through 67) You will need a nut/bolt combo, on the bottom 2 bolts (trans to bell), but no issues. Longhorn

So are you saying that my '64 has the 4 11/16" center hole? If I but the '73 pickup trans I will need the later bell housing?

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by ljackson

So are you saying that my '64 has the 4 11/16" center hole? If I but the '73 pickup trans I will need the later bell housing?

Yes....or you can swap the bearing retainers, the bolt pattern is the same car or truck,on the retainer on that saginaw trans Longhorn

[ljackson]

Originally Posted by crazy longhorn

Yes....or you can swap the bearing retainers, the bolt pattern is the same car or truck,on the retainer on that saginaw trans Longhorn

Oh, Ok. Swapping retainers sounds like the way to go for me. Thanks for the help.