56-57 Transmission?

[Mark P.]

Another question on the transmission I just looked at. I'm looking for the correct transmission for a late 56 (#4399) and this is what I just saw:

Main Case: 3884197
Side Cover: 3731911
Tailshaft: 3722946 (or 8?)
Date?: J196
Did not see a prefix code.
Supposedly a 3 speed

Could anyone tell me what I am looking at? It looks to be in good shape, but don't know the particulars on how it works, etc.

Thanks for the help!
Mark

[John P.]

Re: 56-57 Transmission?

Mark' from the numbers you posted I believe the Main Case 3834197 is a '64 maincase, the sidecover 3731911 should be a 57-59 3 sp sidecover, and the 3722946 tailshaft number should come from a 55-56 3sp. transmission. Your car is an early Sept. 56 car. The J196 probably represents October 19 followed by a year ending in 6 perhaps 56 but you did not indicate which part of the transmission it was on.

[Bernard M.]

Re: 56-57 Transmission?

A hybred. 3834197 (note 383, not 388 as the first three digits) is the casting number used in 1964 for Saginaw 3 speed Corvette main case. 3845122 was used in 1956. However, that doesn't jibe with the date code you supplied which indicates October 19, 19?6. It may have been used in other Chevrolet models. The tailhousing casting 3722946 is for a 55-56 and is the hard piece to find. It would not have a casting date. 56 sidecovers were cast 3845157. 3731911 was used in 1957 (that would work with the date code you provided), 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1963 but you must be sure it is for Corvette as it was also used in passenger cars but the shafts are installed inverted for Corvettes. The tailhousing alone has considerable value. From which piece was the date code taken; main case or side cover?

[Mark P.]

Re: 56-57 Transmission?

The date code was taken from the maincase. Now I am confused.

A couple of questions: I thought 3722848 was the correct number for the tail shaft? At least that's what i was told in a previous post. So what is a 3722848?

This transmission came out of an early 57, not saying it was an original. Some parts may be appropriate. Looks like the cover might work for a 57...not for mine. The tailshaft (if a 55-56) would not work for the 57, but might for mine? Don't know about the odd date on the maincase.

Hmm, I seem to have a knack for finding hybrids and frankensteins when it comes to transmissions. Back in the day that these cars were regular runners, did these trans units not hold together very well and were often cannabalized and pieced together from other corpses?

Learning more every day...some good some bad. Still looking for a complete original late 56 trans it seems.....
Mark

[Gary C.]

Re: 56-57 Transmission?

Mark, Paul Henricksen wrote a Restorer Article Summer of '87 on 3 Speed Transmissions. Paul's article is on the '56-7 Restorer CD. The 946 tailshaft could've been used on some early '57's. The 946 is unvented and doesn't have a cast date. The 450 tailshaft added a vent and doesn't have a cast date either. 946 is the correct tailshaft for a '56. The 946 tailshaft is the hardest transmission piece to find for a '56. Don't believe anyone's seen a 848 tailshaft. Also, the real '56-7 3 speed shifter will have a narrow shift gate slot not like the wider 4 speed shifter shifter gate slot. Good luck, Gary....

[Mark P.]

Re: 56-57 Transmission?

Gary,

So are you saying that I should buy this transmission just for the tailshaft in hopes that I can get the rest of the components to add to it later to make a complete unit? I can get it for about $300. It comes with the original correct 3 speed shifter and shift rods and i only need to drive 45 minutes to get there and pick it up...no shipping costs, just the price of gas. Even that is working in my favor, these days...

I imagine I will need to pay more than that for a totally correct dated and numbers correct complete 56 transmission, right?

Thanks,
Mark

[Mark P.]

Re: 56-57 Transmission?

Bernard,

I looked at Nolan Adams restoration guide volume 1 and he noted that the tailshaft should be 3722848. Incorrect, or another option? He also stated that the main case number should be 3845122 and that the 3731911 is an appropriate side cover for a 56.

Any thoughts?
Mark

[Patrick T.]

Re: 56-57 Transmission?

Another question on the transmission I just looked at. I'm looking for the correct transmission for a late 56 (#4399) and this is what I just saw

I don't get it, you have a '56 #4399 and the Corvette Black Books states that there were only 3467 units produced. What am I missing here? PT

[Gary C.]

Re: 56-57 Transmission?

Patrick, FYI - '56 VIN #'s start at 1001. Gary....

[Mark P.]

Re: 56-57 Transmission?

Thanks for covering my back, there Gary! I'm not always there in time to defend myself....

Mark

[John H.]

Re: 56-57 Transmission?

As another data point, Colvin's "Corvette by the Numbers" book says a '56 Saginaw 3-speed should have a 3845122 main case, 3722946 tailhousing, and 3845157 side cover; the tailhousing and side cover numbers changed for '57.

[Gary C.]

Re: 56-57 Transmission?

Correct on the 3841522 main case and 3722946 nonvented/non dated tailhousing. However, the side cover was changed mid '56 or thereabouts to 3731911 style. Gary....

[Bernard M.]

Re: 56-57 Transmission?

I looked at Nolan Adams restoration guide volume 1 and he noted that the tailshaft should be 3722848. Incorrect, or another option? He also stated that the main case number should be 3845122 and that the 3731911 is an appropriate side cover for a 56.

Mark
I found the reference in Noland's book to the tailhousing number you noted. All I can say is I've never seen one. 3722946 is the only one I'm aware of used in 1955 or 1956. The 3722946 will not have a date cast into it and it will not have a vent on the top surface. If the transmission you're looking at indeed has a 3722946 tailhousing casting, and you can get it for $300, you should not be wasting your time reading my post; you should be half-way to where ever it is you have to go to pick it up. Discounting the rest of the transmission, the tailhousing alone is worth three times that amount (at least I'd pay that for one and I've been looking for a while). I would not be too surprised to see a 3731911 sidecover on a late '56 but the main case should be 3841522. The main case was also used for passenger cars. Corvettes (and Super Power Option Chevrolets) had close ratio gears and a heftier bearing installed in the case. Regards.
Bernie Myers

[John H.]

Re: 56-57 Transmission?

However, the side cover was changed mid '56 or thereabouts to 3731911 style. Gary....

Duly noted.