[61 CAT]

quick question

got a chance to buy a Camaro Saginaw 4 speed for $50 in good working condition

have a factory 3 speed in my 61 Catalina that was moved to the floor any idea if the 4 speed would bolt right in ???

has a 400 motor

[Stuart]

Don't know about the overall length or the transmission-to-bellhousing bolt pattern, but if the three speed in the car now is original the Saginaw will probably have a different spline count on the input and output shafts, which will require a new clutch at the front and a new universal joint at the rear.

[aldbeir]

the saginaw is a light duty 4 spd. it may be ok for cruising but won't stand abuse.it will bolt to your bellhousing. it is based on a 3 spd trans

[61 CAT]

Thanks for the info guys, i might buy the 4 speed for future use

goning to leave the 3 speed in for now

[Pontirag]

they blow pretty easy. there ok behind a six

[Poncho60]

The close ratio unit is the strongest. I forget what the code is but you can determine the gearset by the number of grooves on the input shaft of the trans if my memory serves me. I wouldn't think even the close-ratio would live behind a 389 if you drove it hard at all.

[60 Cat]

Unless it's a 1970 or newer trans it should have the same spline as the 3 spd.

While Saginaws are a little weaker than a Muncie it's not any weaker then his 3 spd.

[buds56]

It will bolt to the bellhousing, clutch spline is the same,the mount on the back of the trans to crossmember will need a little work, the shifter handle will have to be bent a little because the trans is not mounted to the bell straight, need the trans yoke for the saginaw,th350 the same, not sure about the driveshaft lenght,I'm reaching into the memory bank from 25 yrs ago. They work well and in my case lasted longer than the original t-10's of which I eventually blew them all[2 t-10,2 saginaws in one summer] up in a 64 gp,428, 3.90 geared and a fair amount of spirited driving.

[poison heart]

I had a saginaw I was going to throw in a 67 Skylark. I ended up selling the skylark and sold the tranny to a guy who was going to put it behind a 396 chevy. He was a very knowledgable drag racer who had an 11 second Chevelle and he seemed confident that the Saginaw would be strong enough...I doubt it

The bolt pattern, input and output shafts should be the same if theyre 1970 or earlier. I'm betting the 3 speeds are shorter and you will need a longer driveshaft

I say do the swap. $50 is cheap even for a Saginaw.

[Stuart]

The earlier cars had coarse spline input and output shafts (I believe 10 spline on the input and 16 spline on the output) - didn't they go to a much finer spline at both ends later on?

[60 Cat]

Fine spline input shafts started in late 69 for the 70 model year.

[poison heart]

Yes, I know with Muncies 71 went to 26 fine sline input and 32 fine spline output like a TH400. I would assume Saginaw did the same. I believe mine had the fine spline input, not sure about the output

[poison heart]

I lied, mine was a coarse spline input and small output

[poison heart]

OK thanks, I was close

[Rocky 389]

Length is same as your pontiac trans...Saginaw will bolt up but watch for camaro tailshaft housings.....some camaros had a shifter that bolted to the floorpan and had no provision for shifter mount bolts on the rear housing. A 3 speed tailshaft housing will bolt up to the 4 speed ok...in fact, an overdrive from a full-syncro 3 speed [66 and later] will also bolt up to the 4 speed tranny giving you a 4 speed with overdirive!
I've used Saginaws several times when the piggy bank was low. Had limited luck with them...once blew one to pieces in a 66 elcamino with a strong 396 but conversly, had one live forever behind a stout 406 SBC...but it was in a very light 50 chevy delivery..
next owner blew the tranny.