3 or 4 speed manual?

[clairday modtop]

ok well my buddy down the road cant come up with a price on the 4 speed o/d tranny so i found a 3 speed in a salvage yard for $100. other then not haveing a 4th gear, what are the down or up sides? (info) going in a 69 barracuda, dont know what year the 3 speed is or what it came out of but it is a side shifter not stabed in the top of tranny. my car is a 4 speed factory

 

[grumpuscreature]

The 3 speed will have the same ratios as the first 3 gears in the OD. You just won't have the OD 4th. The transmissions are the same length but the bellhousing bolt pattern is different. That really isn't a problem since most bellhousings are drilled for both transmissions. The 3 speed also has a 4.35" bearing retainer while the OD has a 5.125". The input shafts have the same diameter, length, and spline count. The 3 speed is nowhere near weak, some of them wound up behind big blocks over the years. The only down side I can think of is the possibility of getting a transmission made before 1968 and not having syncros on low gear. You learn to deal with that pretty quickly. Hope this helps.

 

[clairday modtop]

is there a year stamp on the tranny? to see what year it is

 

[goldduster318]

the shift patter on them is also kinda wierd...I would put it in reverse on accident at traffic lights.

R 2
|--|
1 3

 

['64 Cuda]

Double post!

 

['64 Cuda]

the shift patter on them is also kinda wierd...I would put it in reverse on accident at traffic lights.

R 2
|--|
1 3

I don't know if you're kidding or not. :-D This is a normal 3 speed shift pattern. Can't recall ever seeing one that was different than this. Try shifting a five speed column shift sometime.

R 3 5
| | |
1 2 4

Talk about a weird PITA! Especially with a worn out linkage!

 

[Burntorange70]

I don't know if you're kidding or not. :-D This is a normal 3 speed shift pattern. Can't recall ever seeing one that was different than this.

If your used to a 4 speed it would take some getting used to. Being that reverse on a 3 speed is where first should be on a 4 speed. I would back in to some one at a light. I just know it. LOL

 

[clairday modtop]

lol . well its got a auto in it at the moment but im itching 4 the stick shift lol

 

[dgc333]

You should be able to find an A833OD 4spd for $100. You can use the long tail shaft one from a pick-up or van in an A-body too, I have one in my 68 Barracuda. It will require you fabricate a mounting bracket for the shifter, I used a piece of 1/2" aluminum and have the drive shaft shortened, about $75 at your local drive shaft shop.

 

[grumpuscreature]

is there a year stamp on the tranny? to see what year it is

The assembly date should be stamped on a pad on the side cover of the transmission. It will look like a metal tag with a screw in each end for attachment. If you can't find it you can always pull the side cover and have a look. You can see the syncros on each gear.

 

[clairday modtop]

my brother had a idea. i got a good 318 motor in my 96 dodge ram 1500 4x4. if i get a 4 or 5 speed stick to match it up and convert the wireing, and change my k-member. what other mods would have to be made. ( now this is just an idea) lol. and by the way the truck was my ex-wifes truck lol i got it and she didnt lol

 

[clairday modtop]

i got a long tail auto in it now and had an extra drive shaft that i had shortened