Re: Clutch questions for my '69 L36

[Joe T.]

Thanks Gentlemen. I appreciate the response. What are and where would I get the ARP bolts? I can also get standard (fully threaded) grade 8 locally, cheap. My first shot is going to be the loacl Chevy dealer at lunch time today.
Thanks again. I really appreicate the response...Joe

[Mark S. Lovejoy]

Re: Clutch questions for my '69 L36

Joe,

Do not use fully threaded bolts for this application. Use only fasteners designed for this service as they are unique and a serious safety issue.

Like Joe L. I use ARP bolts on the flywheel and pressure plate, but GM parts will work just fine.

ARP fasteners are available through Jegs or Summit Racing.

Hope this helps.

Mark

[Joe T.]

Re: Clutch questions for my '69 L36

Thanks, Mark. I will try the dealer first. I will get to JEGS or Summit if the dealer cannot provide the correct bolts...Regards...joe

[Joe T.]

Re: Clutch questions for my '69 L36

Thanks to all...no luck with local dealers Ordered form Summit...regards...Joe

[Joe L.]

Re: Clutch questions for my '69 L36

Joe-----

Summit usually provides "lightening fast" shipping and delivery. For me in the San Francisco bay area, my orders come out of their warehouse in the Reno, NV area. I usually have my parts in 1 or 2 days. Of course, this only applies to things they say they have in stock. They stock just about everything, though.

[Joe T.]

Re: Clutch questions for my '69 L36

Thanks for the info, Joe. Any insight on a Saginaw tranmission in my car? (haven't gotten back to it yet). regards...Joe

[John H.]

Re: Clutch questions for my '69 L36

Joe -

No Corvette ever used a Saginaw 4-speed. Is yours all cast iron with all three shift levers in the side cover?

[Joe L.]

Re: Clutch questions for my '69 L36

John and Joe-----

Yes, no Saginaw 4 speed transmission, per se, was ever installed in a Corvette even though they were widely used in other Chevrolet and GM cars of the period.

However, there was limited use of a "sort of" Saginaw in Corvettes. I believe that sometime after Muncie 4 speed transmission production ended in 1974, the Saginaw transmission line was relocated from Saginaw, MI to the Muncie, IN transmission plant that previously manufactured the Muncie 4 speed. Although it was slightly revised, it became the "new Muncie" and was used in a lot of medium performance GM applications of the mid-to-late70's. For the 1978 model year this transmission, cast iron case and all, was used for Corvettes with L-48. It may also have been used earlier in the 1979 model year for L-48 Corvettes. It was the first use of a cast iron case transmission in a Corvette since the 3 speed manual was discontinued after 1969 and the first use of a cast iron case 4 speed transmission since the T-10 changed to aluminum in 1962.

[Joe T.]

Re: Clutch questions for my '69 L36

Thanks John. I had this thing out SEVERAL years ago to replace a cracked 1-2 syncro-ring (brass). The case is all aluminum with all the shift levers on the left side. The filler plug (I seem to have heard this is significant) is in the middle of the case on the right side. I will have it out in a day or so (work DOES interfere with this). I will have a much better description and will seek further help in identifying it as well at the particulars of its pedigree and relationship to my car...Thanks again and deepest regards...joe.

[Joe T.]

Re: Clutch questions for my '69 L36

Thanks for the insight Joe. This is definitely an aluminum case, and as I noted above, the filler plug (significant?) is on the right side. I will have this out later this week. I don't know why I thought it was a Saginaw, except that my recollection was when I read the descriptions in the 1970 (69 corvette) service and overhaul manuals, something there led me to that conclusion. That was many years ago before I started to be more cognizant of the numbers, castings and stampings. I will get more info and most likely seek further advice and knowledge here.
Again, many thanks and deepest regards...Joe

[Joe T.]

Re: Clutch questions for my '69 L36: EUREKA!!

Here I am posting my own response: Well trans is out and here is what I have:
1-2 and 3-4 levers are on the cover and reverse is on the tailshaft housing
seven bolts in side cover (saginaw looks like it has 8 in the service manual)
right side
Tailshaft housing casting number 3857584
Main housing (case) casting # 3088330
Main housing (case) Look like a stamp or casting #3952660

left side:
cover # 3956448
casting P9K01A (below the VIN)
VIN stamped 19S726903 MY VIN!!! AN ORIGINAL PART!!!
Looks like the standard Muncie (M-20)?
Thanks and regards...joe
OBTW looks like ther is a 4 6 above and to the left of the filler plug?
jt