by Guest Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:50 pmHey I was wondering if anyone could direct me towards some information about the standard transmission for the g vans.....is it a good one??....can it withstand v-8 power??.....also are these standard trannys unique to the forward control g-vans??...any and all info greatly appreciated......
+5
savage
wideload
donivan65
Digz
xjamesx
9 posters
three speed tranny
xjamesx- Number of posts : 378
Location : Rural Maine
Age : 50
Registration date : 2008-05-14
if you lived here, i'd point you towards my garage where my extra tranny is collecting dust...
Digz- Number of posts : 3794
Location : United States Six Lakes MI
Registration date : 2008-05-17
The 3 speeds aren't built super tuff, If the tires never lock up it might take hole shots for awhile, I had a Nova that stripped out the input gear after I tweaked the horsepower some on a 350. But that was just an exscuse to stick the 4 speed in then. Easy driving I would think it would be okay, but you run into things like metal fatigue and Id be thinking of upgrading to something tuffer or newer if there is some kind of interchange on the main case that would accept the tail shaft and keep the standard mount.
donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12246
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
The rear mount is built into the tail section of the trans, so they only fit vans,,,,,and the 64 and 65 3 speed trans have no front oil seal in them and 1st and reverse gears are not synchronized, so they are a useless transmission,,,,,
wideload- Moderator 1st Class
- Number of posts : 1389
Location : Kevil, Kentucky
Age : 71
Registration date : 2008-05-11
Don are the 2nd gen and 1st gen three speeds the same physical size and mount? Could you replace a 1st gen three speed with a 2nd gen or would there be a bunch of mods to do?
_________________
Mike
WIDELOAD
https://vintage-vans.smugmug.com/Chevy-GMC-Vans/Wideloads-65-66-67-68/i-CK5s29s
Guest- Guest
Ok...now give me a break here but i must ask......when we talk first gen chevy and second gen chevy.....what years are we talking??.....63-66......or 63 -70??......thats the ford in me talking!!!!!!......thanx
savage- Number of posts : 2632
Location : Where Rust Never Sleeps in Ft Wayne IN
Registration date : 2008-05-15
On Chevy Vans, it 64-66 are 1st gens & 67 -70 are 2nd gens. Seems like the 66 was the frist year for a sync trans??? I put a 68 van(sync trans), 3 speed in my 64 ,but it also has a 250 (out of a 69 Nova) in it. Had to switch out 1 shif rod . As it was a little to short.
donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12246
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
I have a 69 3 speed synchro trans in my 65 right now,,,,,,you need the 2nd Gen yoke, cross shaft , and 1 rod to make it fit a 1st Gen, (I just got a piece of threaded rod clamped on to my rod right now so I don't have to change out the short rod),,,,,,,or get a 66 that goes right in,,,,,,,,
wacko- Number of posts : 423
Location : Chilliwack, BC Canada
Registration date : 2008-05-20
Wow. Its nice to hear there is an advantage to my 66.
donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12246
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
And the award for worst trans,,,,,,,,a 1964 3 speed,,,,,,the cross shaft is bolted right to the trans,,,,and as soon as the rubber trans mount wears out, the trans twists and snaps it off,,,,,,thats why the 65 came with a spring mounted cross shaft. But it the same old story,,,,,each new year they fixed the past year problems,,,,,, so the 1970 is as good as it got,,,,,also those transmissions in the 2nd Gens came with V 8 engines, so they are tough enough. The good things about these vans is that you can take off all the good stuff from a newer van and upgrade your older one,,,,,,,,,,
Guest- Guest
That is great to know.....my buddy in high school had a 108 with the 307 three speed...it flew....i know he wasnt easy on it either..I remember him side stepping the clutch and that van would smoke....im still on the fence about the standard or the automatic for my motor....also when i get the van here i suppose i should see what i have on my plate!!...I was told it is a 292 with a three speed standard..so i may already have the " better transmission" installed with the larger 6 and i would imagine that the bellhousing should be the same as the v-8....either way I really didnt buy it for the six anyways....and i guess that i will post some pics and or serial numbers to determine what i have.....should be here this week!!
ChevyVanMan1- Number of posts : 425
Location : Your Nation's Capital
Registration date : 2009-07-19
Can I just swap my non synchro '65 3 speed for a synchro 3 speed like a '66? I've understand, except for OD, all top gears go to is 1:1 so I don't see an advantage to a 4 speed other than 1 one gear to clutch. Had a 3 speed before and liked the idea that I could keep it in 2nd most of the time while tooling around town. Thanks for the info.
donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12246
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
I should of put a synchro trans in my 65, 400,000 miles ago,,,,,but a few months ago, I put this 69 in it,,,,,,I think I had to use the 2nd Gen 2nd & 3rd cross shaft, then extend my 1st & Reverse rod,,,,,use a 2nd Gen driveshaft yoke because the splines were different. And since this trans is out of a 4:11, the speedo reads low,,,,,I think you need to change the tail shaft gear to make it right,,,,,,and the trans has a front seal instead of an oil slinger,,,,,,this is the way to go for a 3 speed......
Warlock- Number of posts : 4
Location : St.Louis, Mo.
Registration date : 2009-08-02
I have a three-speed manual out of a 69 108, and it has outlasted two vans and both times behind a V8 and as of next spring will bebe going in my present van, (as soon as I find a set of shift rods). If this isn't a testament to the durability of the second gen three speed , I don't know what is. 
64Handivan- Number of posts : 72
Location : Nashville, TN
Registration date : 2008-11-14
Great thread guys.
I must be on of the lucky ones. I am still running the original 64 transmission in mine, however it also only has 67,000 miles on it, and I also drive easier than my grandpa ever did. I have thought of the option several times, but money permits little at a time these days. Lots of good information though. Keep on keep'n on
I must be on of the lucky ones. I am still running the original 64 transmission in mine, however it also only has 67,000 miles on it, and I also drive easier than my grandpa ever did. I have thought of the option several times, but money permits little at a time these days. Lots of good information though. Keep on keep'n on
