Technical Chevy Full Syncro Three Speed

I seem to remember Chevy coming out with a full syncro three speed about 1965. Before that I seem to remember just non syncro first gear three speed boxes. Am I remembering correctly? How long was that three speed available? Were the six cylinder boxes different from the eight cylinders? Does anyone know the trans number or if it was a Saginaw or BW or maybe other manufacture. Thanks for the help.

 

Saginaw was the common 3 speed full synchro trans used in Chevys from mid sixties to late 70s.

 

Saginaw 3-Speed; No-Lines:1st=2.85, 2nd=1.68, 3rd=1.00. 1-Line:1st=2.54, 2nd=1.50, 3rd=1.00. 2-Lines:1st=3.11, 2nd=1.84, 3rd=1.00. 3-Lines:1st=3.50, 2nd=1.89, 3rd=1.00. The lines that are referenced are actually grooves on the input shaft.

 

The 4 bolt side cover 318 muncie trans was in use from 55 thru 64 in cars. You actually moved a gear to shift first and reverse gear. had to be dead stopped. second and third where syncro. The first full syncro Saginaw trans appeared in 1965.

 

There were several different all synchro 3 speeds available starting in 1965. The first was a Borg Warner T16 Heavy Duty option. Available from 65 to 68 in passenger car, Chevelle, Chevy II and Camaro. It is the only 3 speed you could get behind a big block for those years. Next came the standard duty Saginaw from 1966 up into the 70s with the various gear ratios listed above and the most common. Last came a Muncie Heavy Duty option built from 1969 to 1972. Similar to the Saginaw, but with a larger bearings, gearset, main and output shafts.

 

Thanks all. Very helpful info. The HAMB provides once again!

 

And don't forget the FORD, full synchro, 3 speeds used in some Pontiacs, like GTO's, in the mid 60's! Now, several manufacturers have "traded" back and forth on transmissions over the years; like GM powered postal Jeeps with MOPAR automatics, Chevrolet/GMC trucks with MOPAR, manual 3 speed with overdrive transmissions (re-worked A833 trans), and the old cast iron, dual range, single coupling Hydra-Matics made by GM but used in Lincolns in the early 50's. WHY did they do that, rather than just use/make their own???? Does't really make any sense to me. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

One that I found odd was the 396 powered 65 Corvette that could be had with a three speed.
A friend of mine had a 67 Malibu 327/275 hp original floor shift three speed.
As for odd bedfellows how about Ford using a Rochester Quadrajet on some of their 429 Cobra Jet Mustangs.

 

Here's a photo of a H.D. Muncie 3 speed. This one is out of a 1970 Chevy pickup. Recently picked up a few of these.

 

I bought one of those new. They said they had to put the q-jet on California cars to meet smog.