5-speed in C3

[William C. Brown #33787]

Gents,

I need help with a decision. I would like to install a Richmond Gear 5-speed transmission in my 68 L-89, for drivability reasons. The one and only problem that I can't seem to get a solid answer on is this: will I have to cut the floor on the 68 to install the shifter for the 5-speed??? I understand that I will have to modify the mounting bracket and that the output splines are different requiring a new yoke and that the overall length is different requiring a drive-shaft modification. I might even have to lengthen the speedo cable to make it fit, but man I REALLY don't want to cut the floor of my 68. Any advice here would be wonderful. Anybody got a Nash installed and didn't cut the floor, I would love to hear from you. From my research it looks like the shifter mount is approximately 2" farther down the transmission than that of a T10. I know my car has a Muncie, but I can't find dimension information for a Muncie on the web. Anyway, I'm rambling. Any help gentlemen, would be greatly appreciated.

--Corey

[Jerry Clark]

Re: 5-speed in C3

Hi Wayne:

I have a friend with a Richmond % in a 75, shifter hits the hole and he says no floorboard modifications were necessary.

jer

PS nice car !

[Dave W]

Re: 5-speed in C3

See this link: http://idavette.net/hib/bbfh16.htm He put a Richmond 6-speed (same as the DN/Richmond 5-speed with a 6th gear stuffed in the tail section) into a 71. Looks like everything fit without cutting.

[Nuclear Snortin' Big Block George]

Here's da skinny on the 5 speed install......

just completed the install Memorial Day on my 68 L-89.

1. NOTHING has to be cut on the car, noting. 2. You must modify the transmission mounting bracket, no big deal if you're handy with a cut off wheel and a welder, either Mig or Acetelyne. Diagram is included w/the 5 speed. 3. Do not install with the shifter attached, also the top shifter mounting bolt has to shortened by about 1/4"-3/8". It is too long, and if not shortened, almost impossible to attach. 4. the shifter has 3 mounting locations, use the mount farther back, this will locate the shifter directly in the middle of the floor board hole. 5. The shifter rods were too long and interfeared with the crossmember. I cut 6" off two of the rods, no more problem. 6. When installing the tranny, you may have to remove the emergency brake pulley as it may interfeare with the install, then reasemble. 7. I installed the box along with the motor, went in like a piece of cake, but if the motor is in, you may have to pull the rear tailshaft housing to clear the the crossmember. 8. Driveshaft and yokes:

You need a yoke from a TH400, also I'd advise getting a driveshaft from a TH400, as the 400 driveshaft is bigger and stronger than the driveshaft that is used with the Muncie. If you choose to keep your own shaft or opt for the TH400 shaft, you need to chang one U-Joint, part #353 found at your local NAPA store. This is a combo joint, one side is wider than the other, and the wider side will fit the TH400 yoke, the narrow side will fit the standard driveshaft or the differential yoke.

That's all there is to it, and now you know the rest of the story.