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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 23
Grease Monkey
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OP
Grease Monkey
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 23 |
Hi, I have a 1961 Impala with a 283 power pack engine and a 3-speed manual w/overdrive transmission. I'm trying to convert it to a floor shift but have run into all sorts of problems with finding a conversion kit. Hurst sold me the wrong one and now to try and find the correct one I need to know what make and model of transmission I have. I can't find the information in any of the manuals I have. On the side of the transmission I can read GM 28 and the numbers 3743868 and I think C261.
Can anyone tell me what I have, and any information on converting to a floor shift. Thank you, Don
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Willwood Engineering
Wilwood Engineering designs and manufactures high-performance disc brake systems.
Wilwood Engineering, Inc. - 4700 Calle Bolero - Camarillo, CA 93012 - (805) 388-1188
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
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ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141 |
The 1961 passenger car 3 speed was just the old 3 speed Chevrolet transmission. The basic transmission was new for 1937 and got a few up-dates over the years. It could have been made at the Saginaw or Muncie transmission plant. It may be rather difficult to convert it to a floor shift due to the over drive being behind the main case leaving no long extension to attach a floor shift onto. That transmission was used up through 1965 with a fully syncronized What they called a Saginaw transmission replacing it in 1966.
Gene Schneider
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 23
Grease Monkey
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OP
Grease Monkey
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 23 |
Chevgene, thanks for the information. You are correct in that the overdrive unit interferes with the conversion kit that I bought at Hurst. Another conversion kit is available for the 3-speed but it probably will have the same problem. When you try to talk with the Hurst technical support people they put you on hold and I waited 40 minutes yesterday before I finally hung up. They're real fast when you want to make a purchase, but when you need help that's another story. Don
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,576 Likes: 2
ChatMaster - 2,000
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ChatMaster - 2,000
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,576 Likes: 2 |
i suppose is one were hell-bent on floor-shifting a 61 3 spped with overdrive, one could mount the shifter off a home-made bracket atached to the frame(much like the mid-66 up corvettes did).mike
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 23
Grease Monkey
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OP
Grease Monkey
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 23 |
Hi Mike, thanks for the suggestion, but I'm afraid that sort of modification is way over my head. The more I research this conversion it looks like it just isn't going to happen. Don
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 350
Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 350 |
The 1961 passenger car 3 speed was just the old 3 speed Chevrolet transmission. The basic transmission was new for 1937 and got a few up-dates over the years. It could have been made at the Saginaw or Muncie transmission plant. Gene, have you ever herd of this transmission particulary 55-65 referd to as a 310? The one that replaced it is commonly called a Muncie 319 and still sought after by the circle track guys. The reason I asked is I have a 56 case with "SM310" stamped on the ground surface beneath the side cover. Just curious, Thanks Jay
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
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ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141 |
The information I have -
S = Saginaw
3 = March
10 = day of month
Gene Schneider
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 350
Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 350 |
Thanks Gene, I didn't think of it being a date.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 418
Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 418 |
On the H.A.M.B board, there are pics. of a Hurst Mystery Shifter, part number M/S 1887L (1970) that a fellow shows how to mount it on a 3spd. O.D. tranny. I just Googled 3 speed overdrive shifter chevy and it came out. The post date is 1/16/07 on the H.A.M.B site. It sound like you just cut out room for the solenoid, using a std. 3spd. shifter.
Good luck!
Bobalouie
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