The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1971 GMC Vandura Manual Transmission

My '71 Vandura has a three-on-the-tree manual with a 250 straight six.

What manual transmissions are out there that would give me more than three forward gears?

I mostly know about the T5 transmissions found in Chevy S10 and GMC Sonoma trucks. Camaros and Firebirds used them too. They have overdrive and can be made to bolt right up to your bell. However, you would be changing from column shift to floor shift.

A Muncie T10 4 speed would add another gear but final drive is still 1:1 so you would not gain anything.

Some GM vehicles used a 3 speed with an overdrive that was solenoid operated. I know they are very nice if you can find one.

Yes, floor shift would be necessary. Thank you for the info. I see you have a link to some pages about the T5. I'll have a look.

Before being led to your T5 compendium, I was thinking about the Muncie trans with a solenoid OD. Is the BW trans better made than the Muncie?

Muncie transmissions were available with a BW overdrive from 55 through 65. Also known as an SM319. This transmission is non syncro first gear and can be identified by the 4 bolt side cover. In my opinion it would not be a very good match for your van.
There is a better option which is a Saganaw transmission with the BW overdrive which was available from 66 through early 70.
It is full syncro and would use your same column shift arrangement along with the correct driveshaft yoke.
The Saganaw unit can be difficult to find and pricy. It can be identified by the 7 bolt side cover.
For the record Warner made the earlier transmissions for Ford, Studebaker, and others. Borg Warner made the OD units.
Fred

Is that Saginaw a three-speed?

Yep

The OD unit makes it effectively a 4 speed, even though there are 3 shift positions.

Actually, above about 30 MPH in 2nd gear, the OD can be engaged as soon as the governor gets up to speed. Then shift to 3rd, use the kickdown to get 3rd. direct, and then back off the throttle to engage 3rd. over. Five speeds! I used to do that with my 1951 Chrysler M-6 trans to use all four forwards.
Jerry

Isn't there a military 5 speed OD trans that bolts up to the same bellhousing as a Muncie or Saginaw transmission? Much heavier duty than a T5 and NOT the one that needs the SAE bellhousing.
Jerry

Thank you. There's a guy in Parts Wanted who has one. I've asked him for some pics and I will look for the 7-bolt side cover.

Wrong trans- - - -that one has the non-synchronized 1st. gear.
Jerry