Gordonm

My daughter is home sick today so I had a free day to work on the car. I started at 11.15 and the trans was on the ground at 12.45. I am getting pretty good at this. I suspected that 4th gear was bad due to grinding going into 4th at any rpm over 3500. 3rd gear was bad last year doing the same thing and I replaced that. Now this year it is 4th gear. Do I keep sinking money into the Muncie or go for a newer trans. I just read the post on the T56 install. Looks good but I saw Flairside got a 5 speed for 1450 and it does not require any trans crossmember mods. My only problem with that is I would have to change rears again and I just put in a new 3.70 about 100 miles ago. It is sitting on the workbench now and I'm trying to decide what to do. The easist and cheapest is fix the Muncie but what is going to go next. Do I bit the bullit and get a new trans I don't know. Very :confused:


[Modified by Gordonm, 1:35 PM 2/21/2002]

MikeC

Sorry to hear your about the tranny. It sounds like a dollars and cents issue. You could always take it off the road for awhile and save up for the 6 speed. Or you can replace the gear in the muncie and drive it for another little while. I think you know what you want to do with it, you just can't justify to yourself spending that much money on it at this time.




[Modified by MikeC, 12:59 PM 2/21/2002]

redvetracr

Gordonm,
If you need a "good" used 4th, i have a guy who can fix you up. I believe there is a pretty hefty crating & shipping charge on those 5spd trannys from Leonard Long like an additional $150. ...redvetracr

Marks69BB

redvetracr is correct. I've been checking into this and they add the $150 crating and shipping fee so you are really looking at $1600 but it does include a new long shifter and is a heavy-duty race version of their regular 5 spd. You'd have to change to 3.36s or better yet, 3.08s since that 3.70 won't be manageable with the 3.28 first gear in the richmond. I feel some of your pain as I'm going through the same confusion as you are but I still have my 3.08s and don't have problems with my muncie (yet!). If you've got the cash, get the new tranny. If money is tight, fix the 4th gear. Hang in there! :cheers:


[Modified by Marks69BB, 1:21 PM 2/21/2002]

SmokedTires

Gordon boy do I feel your pain ! Here's a pic inside my head ( :boxing ), you just can't feel the pain :crazy: . I wish I knew what trans to buy. At least I've narrowed it down to staying with a standard, but GWhite's T56 looks so darn nice, just as I was going to order the TKO. The TKO has a 3.27 1st gear & with my 3.90's I don't know if it'll be very useful :rolleyes: . The T56 you can get with a 2.27 which I think would work much better. I'm not sure what the 1st gear is in the stock 4spd ? Maybe I should start there ? I do need the O/D gear for the highway which is why these are the 2 transmissions that I'm looking at. I need to bring the car back to be more street friendly again so I can go cruising more.

Anyhow I have an e-mail to Mike Forte to find the cost for the T56 which isn't on his website so that may be the deciding factor itself ;) .

Gordonm

I'd be intersted to know what the cost is. The 1st gear in a wide ratio Muncie is 2.52 close ratio is 2.20. I liked the TKO also but that 1st gear is to steep and the drop between gears is a lot. The T56 or even a Richmond 5 or 6 speed gear spacing is not to bad.


[Modified by Gordonm, 6:39 PM 2/21/2002]

Flareside

Well Gordon, I guess you know what I'd do ;)

FYI, G-Force is a few miles east of Harrisburg, so you could probably drive there from your place in about 2 hours and pick the transmission up in person (and save $150). They only problem is that once you see those shiny new racing transmissions and monster shifters, you won't want a regular Richmond anymore :)

3:08 gears are a dime a dozen. I just picked up a like-new set from another forum member for $50.

I like the Tremecs too, but I just can't stomach cutting up the car. Heck, yours' is a lot more rare than mine!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

-Joe


[Modified by Flareside, 8:52 PM 2/21/2002]

Gordonm

I saw Gforce was in Annville Pa. I am out there on business all the time so I could pick it up and save a few bucks. I'm still trying to decide anyway. Do I rebuild the Munchie or go for a different trans. I don't like the idea of cutting up the car.

StingrayRacing

You should probably rebuild the Muncie either way you go, so at least you can sell it as a working transmission, and you already have it it out.

0Mike69@ECS

I know a guy who would be happy to pick your muncie and the 3:70 rear off you! :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :D Hell you can have my 3:36!!!! :yesnod: :D :cheers:

Gordonm

You don't want the Muncie right now as it is in pieces. I am going to fix it but I might also go the 5 speed or 6 speed route. Might be a trade for the rear. I would keep the trans as it does go with the car. I do have a "spare" 67 M21 that is in good shape if any one is interested. It has been sitting under my bench for the last 12 years. It worked fine when I had it in.

0Mike69@ECS

I have a Mucie thats in pieces as well. But you know the probles I have with mine.

If we put together all our good pieces we could probably fix both our problems you know... I just shot you an IM... I'll give you a shout! :yesnod:

SmokedTires

Thanks Gordon, I'm ordering the T56 Tremec today. 1st gear isn't too far off from the Muncie. :cheers:

Gordonm

Let me know about the install of the T56. Sounds like a good deal

CDaniel525

Gordon, if you go with one of the aftermarket 5 or 6 speeds, lett me know as ill help ya out. Id like to see some of this first hand since i think im going with one in the nextt year or two....
BTW.....get it fixed before the challenge!! :D

Gordonm

Just got an email back the parts are going to cost about 230 for everything. I guess I will fix the Muncie for now and put some more thought into the 5 or 6 speed. Someday I will do it. Have to replace my daily driver soon so I'll see how much is left after that

SmokedTires

Well I called Fortes and spoke directly to Mike Forte, very nice person (fellow hotrodder). He seems very knowledgably about the different trannies that he sells and rpm at what mph with different rear gear ratios.

Anyways, I called intending to purchase a T56 & he recommended the TKO assuring that I'd be very pleased with it and less mods required for the install. So NOW it's back to the TKO which I did order today :D .

Can't wait to get it all back together! Chris your only in NJ, come on over & you can see mine 1st hand, tools will be provided ;)

Gordonm

That is interesting. Even with 3.90 gears and a 3.27 first gear he said it would be OK. He knows better than anyone. I know he was running a Camaro with the TKO and 4.11 gears. It does sound like a lot of fabrication for the T56. Keep me posted on the progress and how you like the trans.