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#27190 02/22/2004 6:17 PM | Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 70 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 70 | I am thinking about using a Saginaw 4-speed in my in my 49. What year and model car or truck did the Saginaw come in and how do I idenify? Thanks for the info | | |
#27191 02/22/2004 9:52 PM | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | It was available in many GM cars starting in the mid-60s and was in use until at least the mid-70s. Sorry I don't have more detail, someone will offer more I'm sure.
I had one that came out of a Camaro and another that came out of a Vega. They were available with different gear ratios, and you might want to research the ratios and decide which version you want before you start searching. The number of grooves in the splines on the input shaft tell you which version you have.
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
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#27192 02/22/2004 10:14 PM | Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 506 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 506 | The gear ratios of the 4 speed saginaws can be identified by the groves around the input shaft (splines). There will be 1 grove to 4 groves. Many say the ideal first gear ratio for the 235 is the 2 grove inut shaft 4 speed saginaw. I was able to find a 3 grove. They are getting hard to find. There are three shift levers, 1 /2, 3 /4th and reverse. Patricks has a Hurst/Comp shifter that works well with the saginaw and the bench seat. You may have to cut maybe 3/8" off the input shaft so it will fit snug. Measure the 3 speed transmission input shaft to determine how much to take off.
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#27193 02/22/2004 10:15 PM | Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 127 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 127 | My Saginaw 4spd came out of a 1973 Camaro.
If you search the archives here you will find lots of good info. | | |
#27194 02/25/2004 1:52 AM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 43 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 43 | Take a look in the swap meet section. There may still be a 2 groove spline saginaw available. | | |
#27195 02/25/2004 2:01 PM | Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 122 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 122 | I found mine in a local junkyard on an old Vega (not sure what year it was). Definitely check the grooves on the input splines. I was pretty lucky, the first one I pulled had two grooves, just what I was looking for.
The yard sold it to me for 75 or 100 bucks (can't remember which) but only because I was buying a third member at the same time and I pulled it myself, otherwise he wanted $150.
Steve
55 1st Series 3/4 ton
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#27196 02/25/2004 3:55 PM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 11 Member | | Member Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 11 | Please explain the two groove shaft? I am not familiar with this transmission and would like to know what to look for and how to identify. thanks
Ron B
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#27197 02/25/2004 4:00 PM | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 Member | | Member Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,745 | I never knew and when I saw my first one I said, oh, there are those grooves. The input shaft is the splined exposed part of the transmission. There will be grooves going around the shaft. This is the shaft that goes into the clutch so the tranny needs to be pulled to see for sure.
54 3100 with 235
62 flatbed dump C60 with 261
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#27198 02/25/2004 4:10 PM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 11 Member | | Member Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 11 | Thanks Tony M....will this transmission fit onto a 48-52 chevy truck bell housing?
Ron B
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