What manual trans can be put in a 65 Skylark with a 300?What would be the easiest or cheapest? Thanks, Philip
Well...... what do ya want to spend? The factory used a Borg Warner T-10 in '65. As far as how to do it and the final cost, that's the million dollar question. I started by finding the flywheel and going from there. IF you get real lucky and come accross a parts car ('64-'67) with a manual trans, buy it. This would be the easy route. The alternitive is to get the old parts book out and get a complete list of all of the parts by number. Then if your real nice to your parts counter guy at the dealership. Get everything cross referenced. This will tell you that everything is discontinued by GM, but will also list out which models used the same parts. This was my route and it worked well. I got lucky and found a flywheel locally (within 100 miles), then got a GTO bellhouse, new clutch from the parts store, z-bar from Paddock, small linkage from GM. My downfall was the trans. Got a used Muncie that turned out to be junk. Got luck and foud a rebuilder that had some good gears (used) and could put it together right. The hard part was coutting out the virgin floorboards for a shifter. No going back after doing that. Think I ended up spending about $900 - $1000. Transmissions that work: T10 & Super T10, Muncie M20/M21/M22, Saginaw (last resort), Tremec, T-5 & T56 (5/6spd). Swap meets or friends (look for 2nd gen Camaro/Firebird w/Super T-10. Easy to find, complete with shifter around $300 or so, will need to be looked at. Has a 9 bolt side cover) Shifters - look for GTO stuff, most had Hurst Comp Plus (factory stock) Bellhousing - GTO, 442, GS. No Chevelles due to different boltpattern Z-bar - most likely this will be a Buick only part. Cross ref on this as mine came from a Nova w/small block chevy (68-72) Bits & Pieces - Year One is a good place to start Hope this helps Jim
Ok, thanks for info. I guess the search is on!So the T-10 is the cheapest/easiest route to take?Are they four speed?
The Super T-10 is a 4spd simular to the Muncie. These are the easiest to find that will take some abuse. The case is cast iron (read as heavy) and has a 9 bolt side cover. Lots came in 2nd gen Camaros and Firebirds. Stay away from the Saginaws that came in Monza's and Malibu's. These are prone to breakage with too much torque. Your best bet would be Pomona swap meet. I think there is one soon. Next places would be Memory Lane, or Pick A Part. Don't know west coast prices, shouldn't be too bad. I know that $300 will still get a Super T-10 here in WI. Jim
It just so happens that I am going to the Pomona swapmeet this Sunday with my dad to sell VW parts so I will take a look.
If you happen to come accross nice '68/'69 parts get a phone # and let me know. Looking for '69 trunk trim (3 piece deal, with or without "BUICK" cast on the center) and of course a nice rust free core support. Thanks, Jim
Unfortunately, the swap was pretty much rained out only about 100 cars came in to park when usually there is a good 20 minutes of solid cars driving in.
