Items needed to convert to a 4 spd

[71customConv]

I ran the search and didn't find to much and I checked the Buick performance site and didn't find a list.

What items are needed to switch a TH350 car to a Muncie 4 spd.

I am thinking about doing it in my convertible, but want to understand the cost.

Thanks,

Matt

[Sturmgewehr]

If you read the 2 stickeys above your post you should find most of the info
you need. The job is possible but requires a pretty good sum of money and it
is labor intensive.As each day goes by a lot of the GOOD parts(especially the ones that make up the pedals and clutch linkage) are getting harder to find. I thought about it but when I found an ORIGINAL 4 spd car
I went for it. Good luck. Pete

http://www.fototime.com/3EEA49223572280/standard.jpg

[Clay W]

I was just looking at Car Craft, and there's an advertisement in there for a place called "Muscle Factory 64-72 Chevelle and El Camino Parts". They have a four speed conversion kit with the pedals, Z-bar, clutch fork, springs, and everything else it looks like. It doesn't look like they have a website, but it says to call 1-800-762-0317 for a free catalog. I'll scan a picture of the ad and post in a little bit. i just wonder if these chevelle parts could be adapted to a Buick? At most, you would just have to lengthen or shorten the pushrod, i would think.

[Clay W]

Here's the ad I found:

[StKing]

I would love to do the swap also. But it just seems like so much work to find the parts and its going to cost a lot of :dollar: If I could find a way to do it for around 1k Id start tomorrow!

[PaulGS]

I just did a 4 speed conversion on a 70 Olds 442 using all GM parts.

It would be similar on Buick.

What you would need:

Bellhousing, clutch fork, boot
Flywheel, pressure plate, clutch disc, bolts, pilot bearing
Transmission, transmission mount
Shifter mechanism, handle, linkage, reverse lock out
Driveshaft
Pedals, firewall boot, push rod, Z bar
Reverse light switch
Floor boot and hump
Speedometer cable
Misc. hardware

I used a M21 that was rebuilt using a new set of Masiero gears.

A factory assembly manual is invaluable.

It took me about 40 hours to swap everything, and about $3K in parts.

Absolutely the best thing I have done to the car. Nothing like a BB 4 speed.:grin:

[gs_jimmy]

I converted my GS California much the same way. Pedels came from a Pontiac T-37 (1971) and are the same as the GS. I believe the 442 is also the same. I do know that the Chevelle parts have a different bend in the clutch pedel. Mike Garrison is repoping a kit for the GS that has all the parts needed to make this work. Talk with him before spending your $$$$.

Use a Muncie or Super T-10 when going the 4 spd route. IF you go 5 or 6 speed, everything changes.

I was able to source a '68 GTO floor hump (repopped) along with the boot and ring for the same car. Shifter I used was the Hurst Comp Plus for a '67 GTO, again, just taking the easy route.

Drive shaft is the same, but replace both U Joints while you have it out. You may also end up drilling/tapping a hole in the block for the bell crank stud. Check before getting started.

Z-Bar is different on big blocks and small blocks. THe 350 unit is the same as the Camaro/Nova and Chevelle. I ran a cross reference at the dealership and came up with the same part number.

Hope this helps.

Jim

'69 CS California
455 Stage1/Muncie M20/3.31 12 bolt posi
"Passes everything but gas stations"

[flynbuick]

Off the top of my head you have omitted many parts:


upper and lower boots

consolette optional

boot rings as required for consolette or non consolette option

5335 Hurst handle

black ball as required for consolette or non -consolette option

Bearing for the crankshaft trans hole

Set nut for the shifter ball

Clutch return spring

shifter mechanism

Clutch lock out switdh

Trans tcs switch

Correct engine wiring harness from trans switch to carb

clutch , pressure plate and throw out bearing

BOP Bell housing

clutch fork

I think the 4 speed drive shaft is different but I have to verify

pedals

linkeage and rods

GTO style retainer clips

Special gommets for linage tabs

Lock out rods, swivels

z bar

Z barr boot

engine ball stud

frame z bar mount

clutch line up shaft

M21 Muncie

4 speed emergency brake cables and frame hooks

Technically a big block cross member but you do not thread the hole with the e brake cable

4 speed speedo

4 speed cable

4 speed speedo cable trans adapter

Flywheel

Hump for drive tunnel and hole

[MikeM]

The devil's in the details, as usual.

[Joe65SkylarkGS]

Off the top of my head you have omitted many parts:


upper and lower boots

consolette optional

boot rings as required for consolette or non consolette option

5335 Hurst handle

black ball as required for consolette or non -consolette option

Bearing for the crankshaft trans hole

Set nut for the shifter ball

Clutch return spring

shifter mechanism

Clutch lock out switdh

Trans tcs switch

Correct engine wiring harness from trans switch to carb

clutch , pressure plate and throw out bearing

BOP Bell housing

clutch fork

I think the 4 speed drive shaft is different but I have to verify

pedals

linkeage and rods

GTO style retainer clips

Special gommets for linage tabs

Lock out rods, swivels

z bar

Z barr boot

engine ball stud

frame z bar mount

clutch line up shaft

M21 Muncie

4 speed emergency brake cables and frame hooks

Technically a big block cross member but you do not thread the hole with the e brake cable

4 speed speedo

4 speed cable

4 speed speedo cable trans adapter

Flywheel

Hump for drive tunnel and hole


You said a mouth full Jim!!!!!:laugh:

[d7cook]

I bought a car that came with a muncie and shifter in the trunk. Here's what I got so far.

Bellhousing $55, flywheel $300, clutch & pressure plate $200, Pilot bearing for non drilled crank $40, Chinese pedals $75, Clutch Master Cylinder $50, Hydraulic throw out bearing $160, Braided lines $40, generic shifter boot $20, home made tunnel hump.

The stock drive shaft should work depending on the output shaft size but if it's a two piece kind with the rubber near the rear joint then it will need to be replaced for sure because it will break.

I budgeted $1000 which doesn't include the drive shaft, transmission, shifter. It's also about as bare bones as you can get. Once I get the trans up in the tunnel and see how much room I have to work with I may switch to a slave cylinder to cheapen it up a little more. I think t-10's are generally easier to find and less expensive than a muncie.

[sparkplug]

The parts place makes a great tunnel hump.. listed as 68 Oldsmobile skylark 442 hump..
Doesn't Dave Kliener Make the big Block 4 speed lever Block stud and push rod?

BUICK HURST 4 SPEED SHIFTER GS GSX MUNCIE Here is one on ebay...http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BUICK-HURST-4-SPEED-SHIFTER-GS-GSX-MUNCIE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33736QQihZ006QQi temZ160193046422QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVWQQtcZphoto

Plus there is a breakdown of all the parts needed.. Blow it up and save it.. Randy

[Iggycat2004]

I purchased my entire 4 speed set-up from Dave Kliener with the exception of the 5335 shifter handle and clutch assembly. Be prepared to spend big bucks. I have roughly $4,500 invested to include a brand new 4 speed transmission and not a rebuild that Dave supplied. It came tagged/plated/painted and ready for installation to include all instructions for assembly and rod adjustments. The detail is absolutely perfect.

I also purchased a speedometer from a guy off e-bay with a 200 mile an hour face. The font is correct and it looks great in the dash assembly. I know it's not factory correct but I could not source one from anywhere so I bought this one. Huge cool factor..

Jim, could you please clairfy the below line items you posted?

"4 speed emergency brake cables and frame hooks" (I already purchased the e brake set for the car in it's previous form as an automatic. Do I replace just the hooks or the entire brake cable assembly?)

"Technically a big block cross member but you do not thread the hole with the e brake cable" (I did not understand this line item as I used my 350 trans cross member, does the e brake cable thread through a big block cross member?)

Thanks,

Mike




Mike

[Stubbe]

Has anyone ever done a conversion to a T5 or anything like that. Don't want to steal your post. Just wondering for those who don't need the stock appeal.

[flynbuick]

I
Jim, could you please clairfy the below line items you posted?

"4 speed emergency brake cables and frame hooks" (I already purchased the e brake set for the car in it's previous form as an automatic. Do I replace just the hooks or the entire brake cable assembly?)

"Technically a big block cross member but you do not thread the hole with the e brake cable" (I did not understand this line item as I used my 350 trans cross member, does the e brake cable thread through a big block cross member?)

Thanks,

Mike




Mike


Technically the correct cross member for you has the hole, if for a 455, but like a TH350 the cable does not thread through the cross member's hole. It goes over the the cross member like a TH 350. So a TH400 automatic e brake cable set up as I recall does not work. So if you started out with a TH400 I think you may need a different main hook and e brake cable set up.

[ts-gs]

TH400 swapout definitely requires a different cable and hook. The cable is available from Year One, Part #2093N. I can't remember the hook vendor, but will look it up.

Ok, the hook can be obtained from inlinetube.com. Part #H-69G2.

[the_figmint]

When going to a four speed, espescially behind a torquey engine(like Buicks) I would go with a super T-10. I personally have seen a M-20 (first gear) and a M-21 (third gear) shearing teeth behind a mild chev 350 in a 74 nova. The worst sound I ever heard 2x :shock: