JL re 1978-79 Saginaw four speed linkage

[Tom R.]

Hey Joe

I'm helping an owner with an L48 M20 restore his Corvette with the original shifter linkage configuration for the Saginaw (Muncie) four-speed and he's attempting to figure out what other applications (any GM vehicle) called for the GM part #s. he's looking for parts!

The reverse rod and lever are unique due to the reverse shaft location on the cover. GM# 378179 is the rod and GM# 378183 is the lever

Also, the levers for 3rd & 4th (378181) and for 1st & 2nd (378182) look similar to those levers shown for the Borg Warner but carry a different part number (1st/2nd-378203) and (3rd/4th-378204). Do you have anything that might show the BW levers would work for the Muncie?

Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: JL re 1978-79 Saginaw four speed linkage

Hey Joe

I'm helping an owner with an L48 M20 restore his Corvette with the original shifter linkage configuration for the Saginaw (Muncie) four-speed and he's attempting to figure out what other applications (any GM vehicle) called for the GM part #s. he's looking for parts!

The reverse rod and lever are unique due to the reverse shaft location on the cover. GM# 378179 is the rod and GM# 378183 is the lever

Also, the levers for 3rd & 4th (378181) and for 1st & 2nd (378182) look similar to those levers shown for the Borg Warner but carry a different part number (1st/2nd-378203) and (3rd/4th-378204). Do you have anything that might show the BW levers would work for the Muncie?

Thanks

Tom------


First of all, the reverse shifter rod, GM #378179, for the 1978-E79 "Muncie" transmission was, apparently, unique to the Corvette application. I can find no information that it was used for any other Chevrolet or other GM application. It was discontinued without supercession in November, 1988.

As you probably know, the 1-2 and 3-4 shifter rods, GM #378178 and GM #378177, respectively, were the same for the late B-W T-10 and 78-E79 "Muncie". The 378178 was discontinued without supercession in February, 1989 and the 378177 was discontinued without supercession in September, 1994.

As far as the levers go, it's kind of interesting. They have an unusual history.

The 1978-E79 "Muncie" reverse lever, GM #378183, was "replaced" by the GM #378205, the lever used for the late B-W T-10, in November, 1976. However, the 378183 continued to "live on" in the GM parts system until it was finally discontinued in March, 1988. The GM #378205 was discontinued without supercession in September, 1994.

The 1978-E79 "Muncie" 1-2 lever, GM #378182, was "replaced" by the GM #378203, the lever used for late B-W T-10, in November, 1976. Once again. the 378182 continued to "live on" in the GM parts system until it was finally discontinued in November, 1988. The GM #378203 was discontinued without supercession in September, 1994.

The 1978-E79 "Muncie" 3-4 lever, GM #378181, was "replaced" by the GM #378204, the lever used for the late B-W T-10, in November, 1976. Yet again, the 378181 "lived on" until it was discontinued without supercession in January, 1988. The GM #378204 was discontinued without supercession in September, 1994.

So, after all this long and confused history lesson, what this, apparently, tells us is that the late B-W T-10 shift LEVERS can be used for the 1978-E79 "Muncie" transmission.

However, apparently, the late B-W T-10 shifter reverse ROD CANNOT BE USED to replace the 1978-E79 "Muncie" reverse rod.

We already know that the B-W T-10 and 1978-E79 "Muncie shifter 1-2 and 3-4 rods are the same.

[Tom R.]

Re: JL re 1978-79 Saginaw four speed linkage

However, apparently, the late B-W T-10 shifter reverse ROD CANNOT BE USED to replace the 1978-E79 "Muncie" reverse rod.

So what is unique between the BW T10 and the "Muncie" is the reverse rod and lever. Rods and levers from the BW T10 can be used for Muncie applications. Have I got it right?

[Joe L.]

Re: JL re 1978-79 Saginaw four speed linkage

So what is unique between the BW T10 and the "Muncie" is the reverse rod and lever. Rods and levers from the BW T10 can be used for Muncie applications. Have I got it right?

Tom------


Not quite. The 1-2 and 3-4 shifter RODS are the same for both transmissions; always have been.

The 1-2, 3-4, and reverse shifter LEVERS originally used for the 1977-81 BW T-10 can be used for the 1978-E79 "Muncie" per supercessions indicated by GMSPO. Whether they will actually work, I do not know, for sure, but GMSPO indicates they will. This surprises me a little bit for the reverse lever, but GMSPO indicates it will work.

The reverse ROD is the only part which will not interchange between the two transmissions. That makes complete sense, too, since the rod for the "Muncie" would have been necessarily longer and likely differently configured than the rod for the T-10.

[Dick W.]

Re: JL re 1978-79 Saginaw four speed linkage

In the FWIW coloumn, the rod is available from Vette Products of MI http://bit.ly/dF1SMy

[Tom R.]

Re: JL re 1978-79 Saginaw four speed linkage

Tom------


Not quite. The 1-2 and 3-4 shifter RODS are the same for both transmissions; always have been.

Per the AIM, they are designated as different part numbers.

The 1-2, 3-4, and reverse shifter LEVERS originally used for the 1977-81 BW T-10 can be used for the 1978-E79 "Muncie" per supercessions indicated by GMSPO. Whether they will actually work, I do not know, for sure, but GMSPO indicates they will. This surprises me a little bit for the reverse lever, but GMSPO indicates it will work.

Got it!

The reverse ROD is the only part which will not interchange between the two transmissions. That makes complete sense, too, since the rod for the "Muncie" would have been necessarily longer and likely differently configured than the rod for the T-10.

Again...got it!

[Tom R.]

Re: JL re 1978-79 Saginaw four speed linkage

In the FWIW coloumn, the rod is available from Vette Products of MI http://bit.ly/dF1SMy

That was a wild goose chase...can you provide links that narrow the search?

[Dick W.]

Re: JL re 1978-79 Saginaw four speed linkage

That was a wild goose chase...can you provide links that narrow the search?

Parts 123 is not the best catalog system and does funny things. Here is the part #13418 Not hard to look up in the catalog

[Joe L.]

Re: JL re 1978-79 Saginaw four speed linkage

Per the AIM, they are designated as different part numbers.

Tom-----


I did not mean that the 1-2 and 3-4 shifter rods were the same. I meant that each of the two rods were the same for the 1978-E79 "Muncie" and 1977-81 T-10. I provided part numbers for the 2 rods in a previous post.

[Joe L.]

Re: JL re 1978-79 Saginaw four speed linkage

In the FWIW coloumn, the rod is available from Vette Products of MI http://bit.ly/dF1SMy

Dick------


Well, I'm glad someone has "stepped up to the plate" on this one. It surprises me a bit, though, as this rod has very limited application.

Addendum:

I just checked the part number on the web-site. I think this may be the reverse rod for B-W T-10 applications and not the rod for the 1978-E79 "Muncie" application.