[74SDformula]

Looked at a '69 LeMans Convertible today. It is a 350 2 barrel with AC. It has a four speed transmission. All the tires are flat so there was no way to look under the car at the transmission. Was just wondering what is the base transmission in this application and was there an optional four speed trans? Thanks.

[dataway]

Base transmission would be a three speed manual or a two speed auto ... in 68. Can't say for sure for a 69 but in 68 the 350 was not available with a T400, and I don't think with a four speed manual.

I could be wrong but I don't think I've ever seen a console shifted, manual trans Lemans. It would be VERY cool if there was one.

[ponchjoe]

I believe the 4 speed would be an option on the 350 HO but not a standard 2bbl. If it is an original 3 speed car, most people changed them to 4 speeds.

[goatless]

'69 350 with A/C would get the th400 if you ordered an automatic.
I believe base trans would have been a 3 on the tree. You could get floor shifted 3 and 4 speeds. I think they would have been Saginaw units.

[ponyakr]

Which models/combos used the 3-speed top-loader ?

[tom s]

Has anyone looked into getting the PHS on the car to actually KNOW how the car left the factory.Would be WAY better than everyone trying to guess IMO.Tom

[Scarebird]

Originally Posted by goatless

'69 350 with A/C would get the th400 if you ordered an automatic.

You sure on that? My 69 Cutlass with 350 and AC had the TH350 factory. I cannot see why the more expensive and less efficient TH400 would be used here...

[dataway]

Originally Posted by tom s

Has anyone looked into getting the PHS on the car to actually KNOW how the car left the factory.Would be WAY better than everyone trying to guess IMO.Tom

And it would also be WAY less fun

[Murf]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

Which models/combos used the 3-speed top-loader ?

Friend of mine had a 69 GTO with the standard 4bl engine & the Ford 3 speed.

Sent from my Z936L using Tapatalk

[goatless]

Originally Posted by Scarebird

You sure on that? My 69 Cutlass with 350 and AC had the TH350 factory. I cannot see why the more expensive and less efficient TH400 would be used here...

Yes. Don't know why? The non-A/C got the TH350 and they upgraded to the TH400 to go with the A/C.

[74SDformula]

Did the Saginaw manual transmissions have cast iron cases?

[north]

69 LeMans with the 350 HO had only the TH400 as automatic trans option but the 350 2bbl has three choices: 2 speed auto or TH350 with no AC and TH400 with AC. All were offered with floor or column shift depending on seating etc

As for manuals with the 350 2 bbl; base was the 3 on the tree Saginaw , optional was the Dearborn 3 on the floor and the M20 Muncie 4speed.

[north]

By the way a few ways to see what the trans was; if the car:

Engine code with any manual would be WU and any automatic car would have XS or YU for engine code.

Another trick is the holes on top of the frame (passenger side at the upper control arm) that were used to locate the trans cooling lines; if the car was originally a manual the holes would have no threads cut into them, just smooth punched holes.

[74SDformula]

Thanks for the information everyone. If I end up with the car I will report back with what I find.

[nytrainer]

Originally Posted by dataway

.....
I could be wrong but I don't think I've ever seen a console shifted, manual trans Lemans. It would be VERY cool if there was one.

Johnny, you were here and saw it. Remember ? LOL.

[dataway]

Man, I should have remembered that. They can't have sold very many of them right? HO models, I can see that ... but plain Janes? Did they ever sell a 2bbl Lemans/Tempest with a manual four speed?
I think even a 2bbl Lemans with a four speed manual would be a fun car to drive.

[300deluxe]

Originally Posted by dataway

Man, I should have remembered that. They can't have sold very many of them right? HO models, I can see that ... but plain Janes? Did they ever sell a 2bbl Lemans/Tempest with a manual four speed?
I think even a 2bbl Lemans with a four speed manual would be a fun car to drive.

Last summer I saw an all original 68 Lemans 350/ 2 barrel 4 speed car in South Dakota.

[nytrainer]

Good question. Nowadays, as discussed before, options are mostly bundled in "packages". Back then we were free to pick and choose many cool (and sometimes weird combination) options.
In my case our other '68 convertible has it's original 350 2bbl (4bbl now), 3 speed stick with buckets, console, (4 speed now), A/C, wood wheel and rally gauges. Good options but why not just order the 350 HO and 4 speed for a few extra dollars? LOL
So according to the order sheet (for '68 anyway) I believe you could order a 4 speed with any Lemans/Tempest with any engine choice (for a Lemans/Tempest) other than the 1 bbl 6 cyl.

[dataway]

Would have been nice. I can think of some really nice ways to option a Lemans these days. I bet a LOT of nicely option examples were cut up to make GTOs.

[300deluxe]

Originally Posted by nytrainer

Good question. Nowadays, as discussed before, options are mostly bundled in "packages". Back then we were free to pick and choose many cool (and sometimes weird combination) options.
In my case our other '68 convertible has it's original 350 2bbl (4bbl now), 3 speed stick with buckets, console, (4 speed now), A/C, wood wheel and rally gauges. Good options but why not just order the 350 HO and 4 speed for a few extra dollars? LOL
So according to the order sheet (for '68 anyway) I believe you could order a 4 speed with any Lemans/Tempest with any engine choice (for a Lemans/Tempest) other than the 1 bbl 6 cyl.

My Lemans has some weird but cool stuff....Meridian Turquoise, Ivy Gold interior, 350 H/O, 3 speed manual, Hurst shifter with Dearborn trans, 3:36 posi, PS, PB, Ride and Handling package, tinted glass, deluxe seat belts, wheels covers, and it was ordered with radial tires...if you can believe that!