76 3/4 Ton Chevy

[daleearnhardt01]

Buddy has a 76 3/4 ton with a 350, three on the tree, and a 205. Big Hub 44 and 14FF.

What transmission is the three speed on the column?

 

[DieselRam]

Hey guys he was posting this for me. I have figured out it is a saignaw but does anyone know anything about these? strengths? weaknesses? gearing. etc.?

 

[eclipse]

3 on the tree on a 76 k20, never seen that. Got pics?

 

[big dan]

3 on the tree on a 76 k20, never seen that. Got pics?

x2. I saw it on a 73 once. asked the guy about it cause I figured it was something transplanted but he said it was factory and pretty rare.

 

[atho]

x2. I saw it on a 73 once. asked the guy about it cause I figured it was something transplanted but he said it was factory and pretty rare.

they are the standard "standard" transmission for a number of years. every truck you see with a SM465 has had it optioned (well until the 80's at least). they are uncommon because most people wanted the creeper gear of the 4 speed. dont think they are the strongest, either.

 

[83ZZ502_Jimmy]

Buddy has a 76 3/4 ton with a 350, three on the tree, and a 205. Big Hub 44 and 14FF.

What transmission is the three speed on the column?

With some good searching....

Tremec T160 (I think its this one)
or this one SM330 - ( i told you it was something 330)
but could be:
SM318 - I doubt it, used too early think 50's-60's
SM326 - same above

T-89A

If you get me an RPO code, I might be able to tell you..

edit... i'm leaning toward the SM330 at this point.

 

[DieselRam]

what can you tell me about the 330?

 

[83ZZ502_Jimmy]

Other than what you already know.

IDENTIFICATION - Cast Iron case and extension housing with 7-bolt side cover. Fully synchronized with 36 tooth synchro rings. This is the only G.M. 3 speed with the same bearing front and rear

2.47-3.50:1 First Gear Ratio.

It seems to be a pretty rare transmission option.

A SM465 would be miles ahead in terms of strength and with the low first gear, better off.

I've googled all of the above to death, and there isn't much out there unfortunately.

Hope it helps,
John

 

[DieselRam]

Hey john do you know if a sm465 would bolt up or what mods would be needed to make it work in this truck?

 

[diesel4me]

I'd like to see it too..

3 on the tree on a 76 k20, never seen that. Got pics?

I'm curious to see if its really a NP205 behind that 3 speed...only seen a few 4x4 GM's with a three speed tranny,and none were colum shift!..they used a muncie or saginaw 3 speed and a Dana 20 T-case on the 67-72 trucks I saw with 3 speed trannys..had a goofy shifter for the tranny made right into the adapter between the T-case and tranny!..never got a close look at a 4x4 with a 3 speed from 73-up,though friends insist they did in fact exist..

I had a '75 Blazer 2wd that had a "three on the tree",and it was a Tremec tranny..had FIVE bolts holding it to the bellhousing!..I pried on it with a crowbar for quite some time before I realized it had an "extra" bolt,compared to all the other GM tranny's I yanked!..had one more dead center on top,where you could not see it easily!..

 

[83ZZ502_Jimmy]

No idea on if the 465 would bolt to your current bellhousing. It may bolt right up, however, without a picture its tough to tell. You have the pedals and a linkage to hook up the current clutch, so it just may go right in without trouble.

Easiest to do IMO would be to find a complete 465 with bellhousing and go that route if you are into swapping..

John

edit...
You may also have to find the correct t-case adapter. And I have no idea what the spline output count would be. If its a 205, should be a 10 spline with a 465 of that year. The combinations are pretty high.

You could get a complete 465/205 and bolt it in.

 

[DieselRam]

anyone know anything about swapping out this three on the tree for a sm465 or a th400/350?

Thanks guys

 

[73k5blazer]

I had an '86 K10 w/3sp on column for a couple months a few years ago. Robed it for parts and got the $$$$ for the steel.

I have the 3sp in my '86 C10 which is my DD, it's a pretty good trans. They don't really break, partially out of pure simplicity. My C10 has 200k on it, and no problems with the tranny. Gearing wise they kinda suck, especially for a 4x.