Muncie questions?

[derekf]

So I'm trying to get my 65 Chevelle convertible driveable as cheaply as possible, mainly because if it's not cheap it'll have to wait.

Already figured out that for about 300 bucks I can get a decent TH350 to put behind my 396 (about 325-350hp), but car was originally a stick and staying vaguely close to how it was delivered would be nice.

I have pedal assemblies for both auto and manual. I have the factory clutch pivot on the frame and I have the z-bar. I have part of an M20. How cheaply can I get some sort of manual tranny setup for this car? 4 speed is fine; a little on the weak side is fine too -- car will likely never see the strip, rear gears are 3.0x pegleg, tires will be skinny stockers. I'm guessing 500+ on parts to rebuild the M20 (countergear is known bad, and I'm not sure what parts are missing), and plus I have no existing flywheel/bellhousing/clutch so that's probably too pricey

I'm guessing the cheap way is a Saginaw or T10? How cheaply should I be able to do this?

[derekf]

More specific on the questions:

If I get the parts to fix my M20 - looks like the gears are cheaper than I was thinking - what about the other bits I need?

Found a local gentleman who's selling "the stuff to convert a 79-81 A-body to manual" - bellhousing, bellcrank, flywheel, and shifter boot. I don't reckon the crank or boot are what I need... but are the bellhousings and flywheel universal enough to fit an older BBC? The price is definitely right if they'll work.

On a related note, one of the ears on my Muncie's case is cracked - the hole is still halfway there, just the outer edge broke; is that dangerous or should it still hold just fine?

[TnBlkC230WZ]

M-20s are not hard to rebuild, but check all of your parts closely. Checkout www.thegearbox.org. They are knowledgeable and helpful. The bellhousing from the A body will fit. The flywheel may work. You need to verify if you need an internally or externally balanced flywheel and what your seller has.

[derekf]

Awesome, thanks.

[andrewb70]

Derek,

The Muncie is a WAY better shifting trans than a T10 or Saginaw. I also believe that 396 BBCs were internally balanced. You will need a BBC bellhousing as well, because BBC flywheels are 14" 168 tooth.

Andrew

[parsonsj]

I've rebuilt more than 20 M20-21-22s over the years. Not hard at all, just be sure and check your clearances.

jp

[TnBlkC230WZ]

Derek,

The Muncie is a WAY better shifting trans than a T10 or Saginaw. I also believe that 396 BBCs were internally balanced. You will need a BBC bellhousing as well, because BBC flywheels are 14" 168 tooth.

Andrew

I believe some of the BBC came with 153 tooth flywheels. The internally balanced flywheels and smaller bellhousings fit most Chevy engines from the 60s and 70s from 6 cyl to SBCs to BBCs.

[andrewb70]

I believe some of the BBC came with 153 tooth flywheels. The internally balanced flywheels and smaller bellhousings fit most Chevy engines from the 60s and 70s from 6 cyl to SBCs to BBCs.

I stand corrected:

http://paceperformance.com/paceperfo...log/z00259.htm

Andrew

[derekf]

Okay, sorry to ask the same question over and over in different ways but I'm wanting to make sure I'm thinking the right way.

I can use either size flywheel, but the bellhousing will have to be the "right" one for that flywheel so the starter will engage.

The gentleman with the flywheel/bellhousing sold it out from under me, so I'm still up in the air as to what I'm getting.

I took the remains of the TH350 and the torque converter off the engine today to get a look at the back of the crank. It's drilled about 1 1/2" wide, and about the same depth (the angle doesn't work to get any real measurements with where the motor sits). I can't find any dimensions for the pilot bushing but it sounds and looks like my crank is indeed drilled properly.

It reads like the same starters will work with both the 153 and 168 toothed flywheels?

What about the cracked ear on the Muncie? Is that a problem?