Saginaws

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Saginaws

Postby h-bot » Sun Jun 11, 2000 11:25 pm

From: calgary_spyder_REMOVE_567643_THIS_@yahoo.com


Before I run out and spend a pile of money I need
the answer to these questions. I'm running a Saginaw
4-speed behind a strong 327 and am beginning to think
it's time for a trans rebuild or swap in another used
one. I know where I can get used Saginaws but they
were behind 4's and 6's. Can they be used for street
driving? Any problems installing? Is $250 (Canadian) too
much? I would appreciate any info/advice.
Denis


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Saginaws

Postby h-bot » Mon Jun 12, 2000 9:55 pm

From: CJBIAGI_REMOVE_150202_THIS_@yahoo.com


Denis, it is my understanding that all Saginaws
were V-8 designed transmissions but they were also
used behind V-6's and 4's because of available gear
ratio's. While it is generally accepted that they are not
as strong as Muncies, I don't think you will have a
problem behind a 327. As I recall, they were actually
used behind some 327's from the factory during the
60's. It also depends on how hard you are going to
drive the car, I wouldn't suggest side-stepping the
clutch at 5000 rpm!! I have a Saginaw behind a pretty
decent 355 in my 75 Monza and have not had any problem.
I do run synthetic gear lube in it, that and the
fact that these cars don't weigh a whole lot makes
using a Saginaw pretty safe in my opinion. As far as
price goes, I'm not sure what 250 canadien dollars
equals in US dollars but I suppose it depends on what
condition the trans is in? How many miles are on it?
Replacing internal parts can get expensive so you want to
try to get as low mileage one as you can or at least
get some type of warranty if you can. Clyde


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Saginaws

Postby h-bot » Mon Jun 12, 2000 9:58 pm

From: CJBIAGI_REMOVE_459573_THIS_@yahoo.com


One other thing, if you are using a torque tube rear suspension, make sure you get the right trans. It has to have a provision for mounting the torque arm, if I remember right.


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Saginaws

Postby h-bot » Tue Jun 13, 2000 7:26 am

From: mich_southpaw46_REMOVE_839729_THIS_@yahoo.com


Denis,
My oldest son ran a Saginaw in his 69
Camaro with a 355 & 3.70 Posi. The car ran mid 13's with
street tires. He ran the car for 2 years, and the trans
finally let go toward the end of the 2nd year. I
convinced him to try a TH350, with a 3500 stall, & the car
was just as quick, and somewhat easier on the rest of
the driveline.

Mike


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Saginaws

Postby h-bot » Wed Jun 14, 2000 11:58 pm

From: calgary_spyder_REMOVE_757861_THIS_@yahoo.com


Clyde / Mike - Thanks for the information and
advice guys. Do either of you know if the transmissions
installed behind 4's and 6's have the same gear ratios as
transmissions mounted behind 8's. Also - will the drive shaft
and torque tube be the same length or will they have
to be matched to the new trans.
Clyde, $250
Canadian is the same as $170 US (today). No warrenty is
available. I can pull the cover and take a look and after
that I'm on my own. They have no idea how many miles
are on the units.
Mike, I know what you are
saying about Autos but I've been there and done that. I
guess as I get older I need more of a challenge to
satisfy me (or maybe I'm just starting to lose it).
Anyway, for now I get a rush if I manage to pull off a
good one at red line. Maybe I'm a nostalgia racer at
heart.

Denis


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Saginaws

Postby h-bot » Thu Jun 15, 2000 7:42 am

From: CJBIAGI_REMOVE_127781_THIS_@yahoo.com


There are a few different ratio's available. The
most common are the ones with either 3.11 first gear
or 2.85 first gear. Generally speaking the 4's and
6's got the 3.11 gear but some V-8's that had a high
rear gear, like my 75 which came with a 2.56 rear
gear, also got the 3.11 first gear saginaw. I seem to
recall that in the later h-body years there was another
ratio available, something like a 3.5 first gear. I
think if you look in the H-body FAQ there is some info
on the other ratio, but I really don't think that
they were anywhere near as common as the other two.
Remember, Saginaws have been around a long time but if you
are using the torque arm rear make sure you get one
designed for it. It has to have provisions for mounting
it. I know that there are rebuild kits available that
contain all the bearings, synchros and gaskets if you
need that but just make sure all the gears and shift
forks look ok before dropping 170 bucks on it. Good
luck, Clyde


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Saginaws

Postby h-bot » Thu Jun 15, 2000 8:03 am

From: mahoy78spyder_REMOVE_355279_THIS_@yahoo.com


Denis, I'd post it hear, but it'd be too long. If
you want to know what gears are in the Saginaws from
year to year, check out "Section 3.1" in the Hbody
FAQ.
<a href=http://www.cs.unc.edu/~brownde/cars/hbodyfaq.txt target=new>http://www.cs.unc.edu/~brownde/cars/hbodyfaq.txt</a>

Later,
Ken


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