The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 w/ Saginaw 4-speed?

Anyone here using this combination?
If so, how did you deal with the speedometer cable?
Did you use the original torque tube or change to open driveline?

I'm somewhat familiar with the T5 combination but just exploring my options.

Patrick's makes a kit that allows using the Saginaw with a torque tube, otherwise you have to convert to an open drive. I'm not using it but the people I've talked to that have all seemed pretty happy.

I'm working on putting a 4 speed saginaw in my truck, combined with a 302 jimmy and a 3.07 rearend. There is no problem using the speedometer cable, it plugs right in. You just need the right gear insert for the saginaw tail housing. I'm going open driveline for the rearend I have, its out of a '66 Chevy half ton. I got the saggie for $50, and its brand new. I lucked out and got it at an estate sale, it had been sitting on the shelf of an old man's garage and has factory chalk marks and no wear on the gears. Use the 2-groove version for the wide range gear ratios. It has a 2.54 first.

I am using his Saginaw kit and his 3:55 gears...no problem with the speedometer cable as mentioned above. He also has speedo gear adapter to correct reading on the speedometer....I am using that as well. Again use the two groove...It is a 3:11

Blue 50

Is THIS a picture of the interior with the Sag installed?

You've done exactly what I'm planning with the diff gear change too, so please level with me... is this REALLY a bolt in conversion or some collection of parts that need modifying to install. I don't mean to sound cynical, but I got burned recently on one of those so-called bolt on upgrades where just about every part had issues.

Bodywork, I can do, but I'm not a mechanic. I have a mechanic who can do the job but he charges for his work and I don't want to get stuck with a pig-in-a-poke again.

Woody,
Yea that interior picture is correct. That is the shifter, boot and plate from Patrick's kit. When I did this...10-12 years ago...I did not do the swap myself, but had my mechanic do it.
He said that it is a real bolt-in, no fabricating, cutting or anything else. I know there are a couple others here that have done this...maybe they will speak up. There is also a tech tip doing the 3:55 gears over at www.oldgmctrucks.com

Chuck

Chuck,

Thanks for the clarification... that setup looks sweet and if Patrick's kit includes the shifter that's extra cool. Wanting to maintain as an original looking as possible truck that tall stick really helps. I was thinking I'd have to weld the stick from my 4-speed onto the shifter.

Anyway, yea you would think with the thousands of members we have there would be more people jumping in to this discussion, but I just wanted the straight story and not the sales pitch so I'm reassured.

Thanks again.

Woody,
when you get his catalog you will see everything that is included. I like the tall shifter as well....just the right size.

Check out that tech tip over at oldgmctrucks...it is in the "hall of fame" sticky.

Chuck

Chuck,

Yea, I just called this morning and spoke to Phillip... what a NICE guy! He was quick with tips and suggestions and even offered me a sweet discount. I'm impressed not only by that but by the all the positive comments I'm reading about them on the Bolt.

Now, I'm REALLY getting enthused!

I'm super late on this post, but I'm using this combo in my '53. I didn't use any kit, but the tranny and bell housing bolted right to my 235. I'm using an open drive line with a 10 bolt rear end from a 74 Nova. The speedo cable went right in works fine. The real problem was needing to fabricate a shifter that would miss my seat as the hole I had to cut in the floor is mostly under the seat (mine seems farther back than the one pictured).

I heated up my shifter and bent a "u" shape in it to miss the seat. Works good. A Muncie would have been nice, but it is only a 235 after all.