The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 3spd Saginaw with OD swap in 53 3100

hello,

Anyone know what modifications I will need to perform to install a 60 model 3 speed Saginaw tranny with OD into my 53? I was given this transmission and bell housing... I would like to use it with my new 235 swap.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Dad and Son

for a start, you'll need an open driveline, so a rear end change ... then some changes to the shift arrangement to suit the older truck/newer trans & the electrics .... also the Saginaw OD 3 speed started about '68, so you've likely got the BW, info here

Bill

I personally think it's silly to wire it up for 'split shifting'. Wire it like a factory set-up and use it like it was meant to be used.

Also the SM319 is a Saginaw transmission with a Borg-Warner overdrive unit mated to it. You will need the side cover from your SM318 3 speed.

sorry, I should have said Muncie with the BW OD .... still, the Saginaw 3 speed started in 68, with a syncro 1st, OD and non-OD versions

Bill

Thanks for the information... here are the numbers from the transmission:

Transmission: 3743368 F140
Sidecover: 3686832
Tail: R10H-IA WG-DIV 4-18

What do I have?

If you have a 4 bolt side cover it is the older non syncronized first gear, should swap without any problems if it is the same length.
If it has a 7 bolt side cover it is later saginaw with syncronized first gear, should be the same length but the yoke on the driveshaft will be different, and the shift rods will need some work to mate up to the side cover.

it is a 4 bolt side cover...

As Red58 said, the rear end will need to be changed to a later model with an open drive shaft,( not the enclosed torque tube rear end) that is in a 53. The shift linkage may need some changes as well, then you have the electric connections. It's done a lot not that involved and plenty of guys here will help you through it.

What rear end would you recommend for this 53? I believe I want to keep the 6 lug to keep it looking stock.

Anyone have wiring instructions for the overdrive? I would like to wire it stock so it performs well.

Thanks for all the help.

As for the rearend I think you can put a center section from a later open rear into yours, but the mounts for the springs need to be welded solid. Do some searching on here it's been discussed before. Look for deves od info in the search area, if not there cletus(from Tx) has that info somewhere on here.

Here's a diagram for original wiring.

I wired my Suburban using a Bosch relay and a DPDT switch in place of the foot operated switch. My diagram.