What are my options for a '65 Skylark

Discussion in 'U-shift em' started by xhp734, Mar 9, 2016.

  1. xhp734

    xhp734 Hearing the Voices again.

    I want to change my '65 Skylark (2 door hardtop) to manual. The car's drive-train is stock (300 V8 4.9L engine, ST300 trans, possibly a 3.08 rear differential). I don't need anything high-performance and I don't need a factory look. What I'm looking for is something reliable, good for long drives on the highways, has at least 4 gears, and will fit into my budget. The catch is that my budget is embarrassingly tight.

    The only options I'm aware of so far, right or wrong, are the T-10 and the M20. I'd picked up some other models numbers in the past but I wasn't certain enough to remember them right now.

    I'm open to buying something new or used. I'd troll the pick-your-parts but since Skylarks are no longer plentiful there, I don't know what other makes/models to look into. I thought that buying new may even improve my odds of getting the rest of the parts right.

    What's worked best for you and what else do you suggest?
     
  2. schlepcar

    schlepcar Gold Level Contributor

    I have most of what you would need if you want original. This includes a 1965 skylark Borg Warner T10 4 speed,bellhousing,flywheel, clutch pedals and linkage,rebuilt driveshaft,all from a 300 4-speed original car. I do not have the shifter. $1500 if interested.
     
  3. jmos4

    jmos4 Well-Known Member

    Hi,

    Bellhousing you can use any BOP which are pretty easy to find, also a bellhousing from a Buick or Jeep V6 (225) is the same as the factory V8 (300) version

    Shifter Hurst makes a new version, its a little bit different from the early original, or you can add a adaptor if you can find a factory Muncie handle also believe there is a Chevy handle being reproduced thats close

    A Muncie M20 or wide ratio T10 (2:54 1sr gear) is a good choice for a driver, also Autogear makes a nice newer version of the Muncie depends on your budget

    Also factory stick cars had 3:23 rear gear ratios so I would suggest you consider a upgrade there as well look for a station wagon as many had that ratio

    Flywheels you most likely have to find one or buy new a V6 will bolt up but the balance is different, there is a few writeups about it

    Sticks are a lot more fun.

    Regards,
     
  4. xhp734

    xhp734 Hearing the Voices again.

    I was really attached to the Muncie M20 plan for awhile. Had to scale back a bit further for budgeting though. Given that this is just going to remain a grocery-getter, I'm even considering a Saginaw now. Can anybody recommend model/part numbers I should be looking for? (My bell-housing is the BOP part-number 9785581.)
     
  5. xhp734

    xhp734 Hearing the Voices again.

    Will this Saginaw combination work on my setup?

    Saginaw case 338935
    Saginaw tail 6261884
    Saginaw side cover 6261886
     
  6. schlepcar

    schlepcar Gold Level Contributor

    Muncie,Borg Warner and Saginaw are all directly interchangeable. All Saginaw trans are 10 spline,so make sure you use the right clutch. You should be able to get away with your stock driveshaft without changing it. I am not sure which flywheel will directly interchange with a 300,but if you have a good bellhousing you are good to go with the Saginaw trans. The shifter linkage is specific to that trans because the reverse lever is next to 1-2 lever. You should be able to find a decent hurst unit out there without paying for a new one.
     
  7. Golden Oldie 65

    Golden Oldie 65 Well-Known Member

    Your car being an original 300/ST300, chances are you have a 2.78 rear gear. If I were looking to convert to manual I would be looking at a wide ratio trans with a steeper 1st gear. Saginaw made several, although right off the top of my head I can't recall exactly what they are but you should be able to find one with somewhere in the 2.88 or higher range, otherwise the car will be sluggish to get moving. I know that some of them that were originally installed in cars like the Vega had 1st gear ratios over 3.00:1.
     
  8. xhp734

    xhp734 Hearing the Voices again.


    You're right about my 2.78. The Saginaw's input shaft has two grooves... Does this make its 1st gear's ratio 3.11?

    I'm trying to find the magic decoder ring that covers the part numbers I just listed. Can somebody point me in the right direction so I can figure out what car this originally came out of?
     
  9. Golden Oldie 65

    Golden Oldie 65 Well-Known Member

    Yes. 1 groove.... 2.54, 1.80, 1.44,1.00
    2 grooves...3.11, 2.20, 1.47, 1.00
    3 grooves...3.50, 2.47, 1.65, 1.00
     

Share This Page