The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Saginaw 4 speed opinions?

I’ve used the search feature and most people seem to be in favour, but a few aren’t. Mostly because it’s still not an overdrive transmission. We’re looking to convert ours to a floor shift - 4 or 5 speed. T5s seem to be getting hard to come by in our area, but a Saginaw would be easy to source and we are content to keep the torque tube setup and no overdrive for now. I know it could possibly take awhile to get the kit from Patrick’s. That’s fine, we just want to start rounding up what we’ll need and maybe convert in the fall. Is there anything we’ve missed, any reason to not do the conversion? We know the Saginaw and T5 can’t handle high HP and we’re not looking for a fast street rod, we’re keeping the 235 for awhile.

Thank you,

Patrick's is out of business, I'm going the 4 speed route and acquired my 2 groove Saginaw a couple of days a go. I doubt that I will miss having an overdrive after replacing my rear end with a 14 bolt 3.73. I would definitely ditch the torque tube, rather than spending more $$ to keep it with the new trans.

Does anyone have any Shifter recommendations for the Saginaw 4 Speed?

I have a Saginaw with Hurst shifter that I got from Patrick's. I ran it for a couple of years and it worked very well. Shifts really solid. I currently have a T5 and like that too. The T5 shifting is less effort than the Saginaw. I prefer the feel of the Saginaw shifting.

Dennis

Do you have the saginaw still installed somewhere or sitting on a shelf?

At some point we'll likely go with an open rear end, just not now. I have a line on an open third member.

"Does anyone have any Shifter recommendations for the Saginaw 4 Speed?"

Buckkoo,

The OEM 4-speed Saginaw in my son's 1978 El Camino had a factory shifter that worked fine. There were no problems at all with it.

I believe the issue is not quiet so much the shifter as it is the linkages. If you look at a picture of the kit Patrick's sold you will notice that the linkages are really short compared to those you typically see.

Lindsey, it is on the shelf. I don't think I will be using it as I'm happy with the T5 I'm now running.
Dennis

I'm not sure if you'd be willing to ship to Canada, but if Patrick really is out of business, and I can't find a T5 I would be interested.

Separate thread, but sounds like Patrick's is DOA, hopefully they will resurface, but folks that have been by the store in Meza, AZ say the landlord has taken possession of the site.

I just used Fastenal 3PL to ship a 14 bolt rear end from south Florida to North Carolina and the cost was very reasonable. You can go to their site and get a quote in 1 day, not sure about the Canadian twist, but they are very easy to work with.

Dennis, if you'd be up for it, could you:

1) Trace the mounting bracket for the Saginaw to Hurst Shifter and upload
2) Take a picture of the shifter mounted to the Saginaw
3) Measure the 3 shift rods and post lengths

I know this might be a PIA, but it would be a big help to those of us making this transmission swap. Unfortunately things happen, all to frequently, to some the folks that provide these niche parts.

Someone can correct me, but I think it is just a Hurst shifter. I don't think he had it special manufactured.
Dennis

I also checked Fastenal - there is not one nearby.

Linkage Rods and mounting plate are definitely unique. Hurst shifter is off the shelf.

I’m not as interested in the shifter as I am the rest of the kit to retain the torque tube rear end for now.

Oh, we are talking two different things then. I misunderstood. I thought you were talking about the shifting mechanism for the Saginaw. I don't have anything for the torque tube rear end. I've got open tube.
Dennis

Yeah the Patrick’s kit has two parts, the shifter setup and also the parts to convert the Saginaw to retain your torque tube setup if you want. Which we do for the time being.

I might still be interested if you were willing to ship.

This conversation has morphed into a parts for sale/free/barter thread and should be taken to PM’s. Such activity is prohibited in the garage forums. Thank you.

Agreed, however my request to:

1) Trace the mounting bracket for the Saginaw to Hurst Shifter and upload
2) Take a picture of the shifter mounted to the Saginaw
3) Measure the 3 shift rods and post lengths

is entirely within the mission of these forums.

So if anyone out there can share this technical data, I am sure it will be appreciated by many.