3 Speed Saginaw? Synchro?

[Geoff C.]

[Mike M.]

Re: 3 Speed Saginaw? Synchro?

no synchro for low or reverse, just 2 and 3. mike

[Geoff C.]

Re: 3 Speed Saginaw? Synchro?

Thank you. That's probably why everyone disliked them, besides not having a 4th gear.

Geoffrey Coenen

[Clem Z.]

i was under the impression that some

corvettes had 3 speeds with syncro first gear. NCRS again?????

[Michael H.]

Re: i was under the impression that some

Pretty sure 66 was the first year for the fully sync'd 3 speed.

[Tom D.]

How about last year of 3 -speed?

Seems to me I drove a 69, but it may have been a 68...

Tom D.
4889

[Michael H.]

Re: How about last year of 3 -speed?

Sorry Tom, I have no idea what year the 3 speed was last available. I have very little C3 knowledge. I can usually tell a 68 from a 69 but that's about the extent of my expertise.

[Chuck S.]

Re: i was under the impression that some

Mike, that's what I remember. The three speed Saginaw in my 66 Impala (327/275hp) had a synchro on first gear...a sales hype feature along a few other marketing things for a second-year car.

I also recall that having a syncho on first didn't mean you could just pull it into first gear at any speed...I tried it once; it didn't clash, but howled like a horny alley cat. No different for my new T56. You weren't going to get it into first gear until you under about 3 mph. The synchro just meant your first gear wouldn't make a big clatter when it finally did engage.

[Terry M.]

Re: How about last year of 3 -speed?

I recall doing a PV on a 1968 three-speed. I kept expecting another shift that never came. I'm pretty sure 1969 was the last year, but I'm too tired to look it up, so I'm not 100% sure.

[Chuck S.]

Re: How about last year of 3 -speed?

I know the four speed became standard in 70 (along with positraction and tinted glass); what I don't know is if ANY 70s were made with three speeds...I can't recall ever seeing one.

The 70 AIM is written as if the three speed is the standard production transmission...All the Muncie four speeds (M20, M21, M22) are in the option section. One wierd aspect of the 70 AIM is the speedometer cable for the three speed is on the left side of the tranny, and the speedometer cable for four speed is on the right side...two different routings and different cable part numbers.

[Michael H.]

Re: i was under the impression that some

Chuck,

You (we) are correct. I just looked it up in a 66 sales brochure and there is some discussion of the "new fully synchronized 3-speed transmission". I know of ONE 66 Corvette coupe that had a 3-speed. Very strange car, had A/C but no radio. Very unusual looking dash board.

[Tom D.]

I know this Yellow '67 was a three speed...

From many years ago. The owner is a friend and neighbor. He did survive this accident, but just barely.

By the way, he says he was not simply "passing" the other car. Hit a patch of water running across an otherwise dry road.

Bob has not had a Corvette since, but wants one now...

Tom Dingman
4889

[Michael H.]

Re: I know this Yellow '67 was a three speed...

That car looks like it's broken in half !!

[Terry M.]

Re: How about last year of 3 -speed?

Chuck, in spite of the 1970 AIM (possible carry-over from 1969) we believe there are no 1970 3-speed Corvettes. That should open up an opportunity for those who love to produce RARE Corvettes, however.

[Joe L.]

Re: 3 Speed Saginaw? Synchro?

Geoffrey------

1955-65 Corvette 3 speed manual transmissions did not have a synchronized first gear. So, without fancy "double clutching" it was not generally possible to downshift from second to first gear.

For 1966 through 1969 the design of the 3 speed manual transmission was changed and a synchronized first gear was included. The last year for a 3 speed manual transmission in a Corvette was 1969. A total of 252 Corvettes that year were so-equipped. Considering that, I suppose that GM felt that it was no longer "worth the trouble" to have the 3 speed as the standard transmission in Corvettes.

If the fellow with the 60 has a real problem with the non-synchronized first gear, he can easily retrofit a 1966-69 3 speed unit and then he'd still have a 3 speed, but he'd have a synchro 1st gear. The transmission is virtually a direct bolt-in, although the 65+ style Corvette slip yoke would have to be used. While these transmissions were fairly rare in 66-69 Corvettes, they were used in many other Chevrolet cars of the period. Not too many folks are looking for them, so it might not be all that hard to come up with one. Of course, a lot of them have probably been "melted down" by now and are seen running around as Hyundais, Kias, or Daewoos.