The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1970 GMC truck 3 speed muncie&saginaw indentification??

Hello

Does anyone know how to tell the two apart without numbers if there very rusty and the numbers are not compleatly visable.?

I have found a 3 speed out of a 1970 GMC pickup and would like to know what it is.?
I understand so far that the muncie heavy duty 3 speed with the 7 bolt side cover 1969 to 1976 is a much better and more rare transmission then the saginaw version.
I have one in mind that is available that I could buy for $50.00 if it is a Muncie however at this time I cannot tell them apart or rather I don't know what I should be looking for.?

The Saginaw has a 7 bolt square shaped side cover too.This is a image of a saginaw car 4 spd,the 3 spd looks identical except for the extra shaft on the side cover.
http://www.pmrparts.com/photos/saginaw4trans.jpg

anyone know were there is a pic of a later model 7 bolt side cover muncie is or have one they can post? id sure like to see the difference between the two as well.

I checked by parts manual, the Muncie is listed as the HD 3 spd for the late 60', early 70's.
It looks very similar to the Saginaw,except, see how on the Saginaw the top bolt on the side cover is centered? On the Muncie there are 2 bolts on the top of the side cover, equally spaced from the edges an inch or so.

Maybe this will help (PDF file so it takes some time to load):
Transmission Identification

very useful site.i tried to add it to my favorite list but couldn't.

The saginaw I put in my truck a couple months ago was absolute junk, so luckily a friend had a muncie. One distinguishing characteristic was the extra bolt ear; it has 5 ears to bolt to the bell housing instead of 4. This doesn't matter because there is plenty of room. The only trouble I had was sliding the tranny into place that top ear wanted to hang up on the seam where bottom of the firewall meets the cab; that required a little extra finaggling. I just put it in yesterday, and it shifts like a dream!

Boo Radley

Thanks for all the help so far on this I have a new question.
Does anyone know what the weight of a cast iron muncie 3 speed is 1969 to 1976 years only.??
I just would like to know if I ever wanted one shipped by UPS or something to me if the one I am looking at is not a muncie after all.??

Knowing what to look for is the key to understanding anything.