61 biscayne and a saginaw

Does anyone know if an early GM Saginaw 4speed will line up pretty easy in a 61 Biscayne with a 3 speed as far as length and mounting trans mount or will I need to do some mods?

 

Should be a bolt in with the exception of the hole in the floor for the shifter.

Frank

 

Thank you very much for your wisdom.

 

how about the driveshaft length ?

 

might check the length of the trans. my 59 had the little bitty 3 speed. when i put the saginaw 4 in, had to shorten the ds.

 

The driveshaft will probably have to be shortened and you'd need a fine spline yoke.

 

Since you have to shorten the shaft anyway, now might be a good time to go with a one piece shaft. Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

I did a similar swap in my '65 Belair, only with an early Muncie M21. Took out the same ****py 3-speed box that yours has. The lengths were the same, the only thing I recall is making the hole in the floor and maybe a front driveshaft yoke swap.

Bob

 

If you still have that short 3 speed. You will need to get a 4 speed drive shaft, or shorten yours. You will also nee correct yoke. You might need to get a different speedo cable as well.

 

the front driveshaft yoke is same as the finer splined one for a 350 Turbo trans.....Ditto on the one peice driveshaft idea......
A driveshaft from a 1978 Delta 88 Olds is about right,and is a smaller diameter than most....
you would need an"adapter" U joint at rear as the '61 takes a smaller joint at the pinion....

 

or shop around for a driveshaft that is the right length and uses the 1310 ujoint so it will just bolt in.