hey olds Nation!!! i have a 68 442 conv that was a stick. when i bought it, it did not have an engine or tranny. i have 70 455 to go in it and want to go back with a 4 speed tranny but i have no clue what type of tranny would have been in it. would a 4 speed saginaw work in it. or would i need a different type of tranny. thanks

 

Original trans would have been a Muncie four speed. The Saginaw is considerably weaker and really won't survive behind a 455. You could also use a T10, though that wouldn't be factory.

Your biggest problem will be the lack of a pilot bearing recess in the crank of the 455 if it was originally bolted to an automatic. You can use an aftermarket conversion bearing, but you will need to trim the end of the input shaft.

 

thanks joe

 

joe, how much skill would it take to perform that task. also would the muncie be a m20, m21 or m22. or would it just be easier and safer to install a 400 turbo tranny. will my cowl tag tell me the build date of my 442. thanks

 

Some


Yes, yes, or yes

yes

yes

 

If you can track down an M-22, that's the way to go. An M-21 will also give you years of service. Some complain about the noise from an M-22 but I find it sounds like music to my ears. Nothing like a "Rock Crusher"

 

As with all muscle car era parts, restorers have driven prices through the roof. Any Muncie is big bucks and a rock crusher is even more.

More importantly, unless the car in question has relatively steep rear end gears, the 2.2:1 first gear in the M22 (or M21 for that matter) will make the car a real dog off the line. This is a convertible, not a hard core drag racer. Get a wide ratio four speed at a minimum. Even better, for not much more than what M22s are going for, get a TKO five speed.