78 manual trans

[Ed Jennings]

I am working on a 78 which appears to have a Saginaw transmission. I had expected a Super t-10. Is this the correct transmission, or an owner inspired modification?
The trans is fitted with an aftermarket shifter. Sort of looks like a Hurst, but I don't believe it is. To shift into reverse, the lever must be moved left and REARWARD (next to 2nd), vs Left and forward (next to first). Without really investigating, my thought is that the lever on the trans is installed upside down, possibly for clearance reasons, or to accomodate some generic shifter that just doesn't fit properly. Any ideas/

[Joe Lucia (12484)]

Re: 78 manual trans

Ed------

Actually, what you have here is a "Muncie" transmission, but it's not what we all think of as a Muncie. For 1978 and 1979 Corvettes with L-48 used a 4 speed transmission that was very similar to the Saginaw 4 speed of the late 60s-early 70s. Production of this transmission was transferred to Muncie, IN and the unit became known as a "Muncie". It was known as an M-18.

I believe that these units had a cast iron case like the earlier Saginaw.

I'd be very interested in learning what the bellhousing casting number is that you find on this car. It may be 469697, 464697, 3899621, or some other number.

The shift pattern on these transmissions was the same as conventional Muncies and T-10s, so your theory on the shifter linkage is about all I can think of.

[Ed Jennings]

Re: 78 manual trans

Joe, Bellhousing is 469697.

[Joe Lucia (12484)]

Re: 78 manual trans

Ed-----

Thanks for the bellhousing number. One day I spent about 1/2 hour examining a 469697 and a 3899621 side-by-side. I could find absolutely no difference, whatsoever, in these 2 bellhousings (except for the number, of course) and I don't know why they had different numbers.

Also, the 78-79 L-48 clutch set-up was unique. This application used a 14" flywheel, but used a 10.4" clutch. The clutch was the same as that used for 63-68 small blocks, but those applications used a 12-3/4" flywheel.