Original Transmissions for a 1967

Q: Original Transmissions for a 1967

How can I find out what tranny is now in my 1967 Firebird since it has been replaced too, it started with an auto 2 speed but now has a 4 speed in the floor

A: The car could originally be had with:

3-Speed Warner (Manual)
3-Speed Saginaw (Manual)
4-Speed Muncie (close or wide ratio) (Manual)
4-Speed Saginaw (Manual)
3-Speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
2-Speed Powerglide (Automatic)

All tranmsissions have some type of model number information on them. Someone that has been around transmissions can tell you what kind of trans it is by just looking at the case. (You could also do this yourself. Pick up a couple of books on transmission rebuilding and compare the pictures.) The model numbers can be used to tell you what year if was manufactured, what gear ratios are used, etc, etc.

A: I hope I can clear up some misconceptions. The first generation Firebirds used a Dearborn (Ford!) HD 3-speed transmission when the floor shift was ordered or behind the 400. All pontiacs ordered with the Heavy Duty 3-speed got this tranny, too. This is basically a Ford top-loader and very strong. The Saginaw 4-speed was the weakest of the GM 4-speeds, Muncie the strongest then the Borg-Warner. The Saginaw 4-speed was an old 3-speed with an extra gear crammed in the case. The other 4-speeds moved the reverse gearset out to the tailshaft area, leaving 4 good sized gearsets in the main case. The Saginaw will survive serious abuse if the rear end ratio is high numerically or the car is light – I had a street rod with 4.11s and a 400 Chevy and didn’t break the Saginaw tranny despite many 4-gear smoke shows. I would keep the tranny you have until it breaks or starts making funny noises.

A: As for the question on the 3 and 4 speed trannys Pontiac used a Dearborn (Ford) tranny for GTO and Firebird V-8s and muncie for the V-8 with 4 speed. Saginaw is a good tranny and was even used in some Chevy big block applications . Pontiac chose to use it only behind the OHC-6s both 1 and 4bbl. I like this trans because there are so many different gear rations,3.50,3.11,2.85 and 2.54.

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