Manual transmission interchange

[GranSportSedan]

Miraculously I have managed to source a complete 65-66 GS manual transmission bellhousing and clutch linkage setup. What I don't have is a manual transmission. What transmissions will work with the factory bellhousing? I love to find an original 3-speed or t-10 four-speed but I'm sure those are very difficult to come by.

[TrunkMonkey]

Hey Bob.

I have the T-10 that was behind my nailhead in my '64 Skylark.

I am going to be rebuilding it over the winter.

1963 T-10 Wide Ratio

If you are not in a hurry, and are interested, let me know and I'll stick you name on it.

[cwmcobra]

My car came to me with a Muncie M21 4-speed bolted to the nailhead bellhousing.  It worked fine with the Muncie shifter that was installed.  So you are not limited to a T-10 if you'd like to go a different direction. 

I replaced the Muncie with a T-10 for originality.  So it is available if anyone is interested.  Another option to consider.

 

Chuck

[schlepcar]

Hey Chuck,
  I didn?t know you took the Muncie out of yours. I sold an original 65 skylark trans but I found out it was not the same as GS even though it was a Borg Warner. I know the bellhousing accepts Borg Warner,Muncie, or even a Saginaw. There was a minor difference in length from a 65-6 GS trans from a skylark. The GS only trans has nickel gears and is stamped GS on the aluminum tail where the shifter bolts on. If originality is not an issue I think the Muncie just bolts in identical to the others?.you can?t hardly buy a used Saginaw reasonable  so the Muncie or Borg Warner?s are getting harder to find. I know a lot of people have bought the newer richmonds because they could not find a usable bolt in at a fair price. Finding the other four speed linkage and bellhousing was probably 90% of the battle. I do know where an original late 65 to early 66 GS trans is located in Flint,but not sure he will part with it.   Dan

[WkillGS]

I have a Richmond 5 speed in my red 66. It's the older 4+1 which has the 3.26 1st gear and 1:1 fifth. It's a close ratio which I'm not a huge fan of, but price was right at $1500 10+ years ago.

The front bearing retainer did not fit the Nailhead setup. The OD of the retainer had to be turned down to fit the hole in the bellhousing, and the shaft portion had to be turned down to fit the Nail's throwout bearing. A local shop did it for me for under $50.

There are some other transmissions that need the front retainer machined to fit the Nail's throwout bearing. I don't recall if some Muncies need the mod or if it was off-makes like Ford or AMC stuff.

I've heard of a 3+1 OD transmission that Ford used in the 60's. Maybe it was the T86? That would be a neat combo.

[35chevcoupe]

Bob those 3 speeds are around, Pontiac and oldsmobile also used them . The biggest problem with the 3 speed is gonna be finding an original shifter .

[jmos4]

Hi,

Here's a t-10 trans and shifter on evilbay right now

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-BUICK-SKYLARK-GS-401-NAILHEAD-BW-T10-4-SPEED-SHIFTER-LINKAGE-FLYWHEEL-/264704372327?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

Also the 3 speed trans were used by Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac, not sure if Chevy used the same HD 3 speed aka Ford toploader, but they are around.

Regards,
Jim

[jmos4]

Hi again,

Here's a 3 speed also on evilbay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-68-Pontiac-Olds-Buick-3-speed-Top-loader-manual-transmission-/373309499796?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

Regards,
Jim

[cwmcobra]

Yes Dan, you're right.  The Muncie simply bolts in and there was no change required for the driveshaft.  Shifter linkage could be a problem, but replacing the Muncie shifter with a Hurst would easily solve that, I would think.

 

Chuck

[jmos4]

Hi,

One thing to note is using a Muncie moves the shifter farther back, think 7/8" as the  GS T10 has 2 positions for mounting the shifter, 6 holes vs 3 on a Muncie and non-gs tail housing.

Regards,
Jim

[cwmcobra]

That's right Jim.  I forgot I had to move the hole in the hump forward with the T-10 and Hurst shifter.

[schlepcar]

 I still have to see that thing done Chuck....looks great in the pics, very nice car.  FYI....that trans on ebay looks correct,but I do not believe the shifter and linkage is correct for Buick. The handle on a Buick 3 or 4 peed car is not curved like some other GM cars...malibu,nova,etc.

[GS66]

Pretty sure I still have some Hurst shifters from my 66 GS 3 speed car somewhere.

[GranSportSedan]

Good to know that I don't have to source an original style transmission. I have a whole bunch of cool nailhead goodies that I would love to stuff into a special. Part of me thinks it would be neat to do all that to a 4-door.

[GranSportSedan]

That $3200 eBay 4 speed only has one ring on the input shaft. Didn't the high nickel GS version have 3 rings?