The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1936 chevy help

Hello,

I am new to this old stuff and cant seem to find much info on it. I have a 36 chevy pickup and trying to get it going. The first problem is identifying the transmission. I took the cover off and seems there was water sitting in there for some time and the larger gear in front is half chewed off. I have an SM420 trans (with open driveline yoke?) and a little 3 spd trans with the enclosed rear section, but no top. I have attached pictures of the trans and also the sm420 and the 3 spd

I wouldn't mind going with a different setup if I have too, but the pedal bracket bolts straight to the trans and bell housing. I do not want to change out the driveshaft.

Any help would be appreciated

Greg

I am probably not your guy because: If it has a closed driveshaft and you want to keep it, not my preference. Keeping the old trans, nope.
It seems like you are trying to say you want it to have the "original" drive train? That's too old.

The pedals may be able to be mounted on a bracket or adaptor to keep them in position. Not sure.

That truck is really neat looking and rare. I would love to have one like that so I could put a 10 bolt rear with open driveshaft and a SBC in it. With a SM420 or 435. There are many other options and T5's and all that. But what I suggest is very simple and plenty of power and leaves the body and chassis original. I would enhance the brakes and steering whilst keeping the budget low. PM me of you are allowed to.

Good morning Greg.

Here's my '36 PU that I've owned since 1965 and the original type 3-speed trans that was used in Chevy Master cars and light trucks from 1932-36. There are some different versions of that trans case but the internals are the same from '33-'36.

There was an optional 4-speed but it is a huge, heavy, clunky, non-synchronized thing with a "granny" low gear that is of no use in a pickup.

The tandem MC in the photo is a safety upgrade and is obviously not original. It is from a Jeep and was picked for this application for its 1" bore and small size that lets it fit where the original MC mounted.

My '36 looked like yours when started restoring it.

Thank you for the replies! That is exactly what I would like to do. Either a 3 speed or 4, whatever would work. Mine has the little rod on the side of the shifter, so I think its a 4 speed. Would you have any idea where to get one? I did post an add in the swap meet section.

Thanks again,
Greg

The 4 speed you have pictured was used from 1931-47. It is a non -synchronized transmission.
The three speed in your pictures is a 1937-39 passenger car.

As Dave says your transmission is a 4 speed non-synchronized. It was an option in the 37-47 1/2 ton pickups and standard on the larger trucks. I have one in my 42 1/2 ton and my 37 1/2 ton. My first truck was the '42 and I wanted to switch out the trans for a synchronized 3 speed but I couldn't find one. Eventually, I got better and better at double clutching and now I don't want to change, as it is a skill that goes along with the character of these old trucks. You may not want to stick with this type but it would be the easiest and cheapest way to get your truck on the road. If you look hard enough you can find these relatively cheap as people want to swap them out. I was given one that is being used in my '37 project since the original had more water in the trans than oil and suffered the same fate as yours. You can always change it out later but the decision depends on you and what your goal is.
Kent

The SM stands for Synchro mesh I put a SM420 in my 1942 truck so I would not need to double clutch.

Marv.

Nice old truck, I must say! Just to add to the discussion, an SM420 is synchronized in 2nd third and fourth. First gear is non synchronized and seldom used. Therefore it is like having a fully synchronized three speed with a bull low for special occasions!