I just pulled my Saginaw trAns to switch from my hydraulic TO bearing to a conventional fork and slave set up. I realize now that the rebuilt trAns I bought long ago is the three ring input trans with the 3.50 first gear. On top of that I have 4.11 gears in the rear and this is all going in a roadster. I also have a set of 3.55s for the rear end. Would the 3.55s be tolerable? Or should I save up for another trans? Muncie close ratio or wide ratio? T10? Thanks Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
Ok...here's what I did. I scavenged a 3.50 Low gear [spelled Vega] saginaw at U-pull-it for 35 bucks a few years ago. I was intentionally looking for the low geared ****** because I was using a 2.29 geared rear axle with 30 inch tall tires. I know it sounds like a terrible setup but it worked great! The engine was a 406 SBC with mild cam and a ton of low-end grunt. The combination of low 1st gear and tall axle gears made the car, a 3300 LB 50 chevy, easy to drive in town. I'd installed a 12 inch clutch just in case but a 10 inch clutch would have been alright too. Out on the hiway, it was a dream to cruise in. The rediculous 55 MPH speed limits had just been s****ped and cruising at 75 was effortless. I have no idea how fast that car would go but it was way faster than my tires would have safely gone. I never did a MPG test because I just wasn't interested but it wasn't bad. One time I was p***ed by 2 chicks in an SUV in MOntana [no speed limit!] on I-90. I waited 'till they got about a mile ahead and shifted into 3rd gear.......hit 4th at about 90 and kept my foot in it...musta been doing about 130 when I p***ed them? Go with some tall gears to take advantage of the 3.50 first gear. You'll love it!
Not sure I'll love it with 4.11s lol. I'm bummed because the Saginaw is in perfect condition and money is tight right now. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
I am not sure that I understand the question. What do you intend to use the car for? How much time do you intend to spend cruising in first gear?
Put it on the road and see if it ****s. If I stop i the middle and go looking for different parts the project automatically has one foot in the grave. Then again thats me, I have the attention span of a gnat.
350 low gear sagi, 308's, 31" tires 327, model A, to much cam. great on the open road. 355's would be nicer at the stop sign. but i spend most of my time cruis'n down the big road. till i come up with a 3 speed overdrive saginaw, i like the combination alot!
How would the cost of setting the gear pattern be as opposed to getting another used trans? There's a m20 on Craigslist that's dis***embled but clean and in good condition for $350. I'm trying to decide which option is best. Thanks for the answers so far. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
with that 4.11/3.55 your better off getting a s10 t5. Overdrive is about 0.7x4.11=2.87 That 3.50 first Saganaw is great for 3.08 or 2.70 rear gears Also, the taller the tire will bring down the rpm
If you have the gears all it will cost you is time. Don't know what you are running but a 9" Ford for instance can be set up for about 80-100 bucks, and that would be with new bearings.
I had a s10 5 speed in my'58 a while back,and with it's stock 3:73 even that ******'s low gear was sorta grandma in my opinion. I did as ****** suggests and just shortshifted it early and went on to 2nd......the low gear in your trans or even the Muncie is not even an issue here-it is the fact that that 4:11 in the end result at cruise range is the problem of the day..... Its simply as suggested jump on up to your 3:55's or add in a 5th or even 6th gear trans to actually see any real benefits......
I had a 3.50 sag with 3.25r&pgears and tall (8.10?) tires in my model A great out of the hole, 4th had no legs it was like overdrive, then went to t-5 1-4 were great could never get to 5th the 3.55s would probly be good with either trans
Good to know. I will keep my trans and swap gears. Do I need to have the gear pattern set by a pro or is this something I can do myself? Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
i have the saggy in my 32.i like it,i will eventually do a super t10.the s10 trans will be ok but dont beat it up.if its just a cruiser youll be ok.
A rear axle ratio change makes more sense than a transmission change. The Saginaw will work fine, even with the 3.55 gear...but, as stated, other factors such as tire diameter, vehicle weight, camshaft, etc should also be considered. Bottom line, the trans is fine, so use it. See how it works and if you even NEED to change the axle ratio, then go from there.
The pro started right where you are. It is not majic it is just a rear end. Give it a whirl, I think you will find that it is way easier that you would think.
'57 chevy rear with posi, just hand tools and a dial indicator. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
Good advice. Tires are 29.5" diameter. The engine will be rev happy in its final configuration. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
You will need a way to get the pinion bearings off and when you find shims you will want to reinstall the as thay were and that will be your starting point for your pinion depth. Check your pattern and adjust from there.
I ran a 3.50 first gear trans and 4.10 rear in my coupe for years, I had tall tires and around town my 301 could beat many a big block. Ran out of steam at about 100 or so. Long highway cruses were not that much fun, kept it at 65 or so and survived.
Well you are gonna have to buy a news paper and a little tube of marking compound, I prefer prussion blue marking compound.
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