The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Needing help deciphering transmission numbers

I recently acquired a couple of transmissions and a bell house. These are supposed to be for trucks. The 4 speed I know is, it’s number is 591953, I believe it is an older sm420? The other I believe is a three speed, number 591816? Or 691816. The bell house is number 3835201. What do I have, what year range, and how desirable are they? Any info is greatly appreciated.

Pictures are sometimes more useful than casting numbers.

Ed

A quick search shows the Bell Housing to be '48-'54. But I agree on the Trans, pictures would be good.

Could the 3-speed be 591615 ? If so it's a 1948-54 truck 3-speed and should be a floor shift trans.

The 591953 is in fact the SM-420 4-speed from 1948-up.

Mike B

I’m having a time trying to post a pic

I was under the impression that the 1/2 ton trucks of the ‘50s were column shifts. Also, I am supposed to retrieve an engine from the same truck as the transmission, it’s a 216. When did Chevrolet quit using the 216 in trucks?

I think that Mike meant to post that the 1948-54 (55st?) 3-speed trucks had column shift-mechanisms/assemblies?
1948
1955-st

That is a passenger car transmission, with the removable U’joint ball receiver.
Basically used from 1949-54 with slight differences.

Tim, per my parts books the 591615 case was only used thru '54 and then the 3845122 case was used '55-up...is this not correct?

I did have a brain fart in saying floor shift, it is in fact column as we all know...sorry for the confusion there.

Mike B

The shift lever pointing up threw me. The case is different from the ‘49-‘50 transmission from my car, as is the nose of the clutch gear. The person who is giving me these parts said that they came from a ‘54 pickup. So with this tranny the engine could be a 216 from a car. I’ll still take it! Any thoughts on running the 4speed in a ‘46 coupe!?

Dave, are you sure this is a Passenger Car trans? The casting number pictured is no where near any of the Pass numbers listed in my books (which I posted above)...

Mike B

I am quite sure. Up through 1948 passenger and Truck through 1954 do not have a removable extension housing. Only 1949-54 passenger car did.

Looks like the casting date ended in 2, so it looks like that would make it a 1952 transmission.

I have a four speed from a 46 1/2 ton. I believe it was Tim that told me a year or so that transmission has special app's regarding what it will go in. I wanted to put it in my 54-3100 but, it's a no go. As far as putting it in a car you would not have much if it has granny low, put a good hitch on and you can pull stumps. Doc

This three speed has no removable extension, that is part of what threw me. Perhaps someone other than Chevrolet?

The extension is removed in the picture.

To answer your question about 216 vs. 235 I believe in the model 3100 1954 was the first year it became the standard engine. Prior to 54 it was the 216. I believe the 235 was in some earlier big bolts but not the 3100.

I take back some of what I said.
I just noticed the mounting ears on the original picture. Not passenger car mounts.
This is not a US made Chevrolet transmission, although it is sure close.
Example of passenger car transmission in picture below.