Part 1: 1937-1954 Chevrolet 3 Speed Transmission Rebuild - Disassembly

[@DennisMurphey]

I think you should have explained the shifting mechanism of the side plate. So many folks do not understand how to adjust the shift linkage when they lose 2nd and 3rd gear. The rods are not like the later 3 and 4 speeds. Only one rod shifts all the gears, the smaller rod is the gate changer between R & 1st, and the 2nd & 3rd Shift modes. On my 47 I wanted a floor shift. So i got a later trans side plate and it fit over the gears perfectly bolted right up, and I had two levers shifting, Viola. Then the old 3 speed Hurst bolts right up and worked perfectly. No many folks know that. Good Video appreciate your attention to detail. Dennis

[@tomeasley5979]

Jayhawker, I just found your site today. I have a 1940 Chevrolet Special Deluxe Business Coupe and I am looking forward to watching all of your videos. Car is on blocks now but hope to get it down off the blocks and running again soon. Thanks again for your great videos and explanations!! You are doing a terrific job.

[@clydemillhaven8924]

I can’t thank you enough for posting videos like this. Helping me keep my 1951 Chevy pickup on the road!

[@AndysDogHouse]

Hey Jay. I have a 1940 Buick that I am rebuilding. I know nothing about rebuilding something like this. I hope that I can learn by watching your videos. Thanks for sharing. 🍁🍁👍👍

[@ANOTHERSAVEDSOUL]

Thank you for this info. Its hard to find someone to take the time to share this old info. Almost imposable ! So thank you much for this and your other videos. I have a 1938 Chevy master Deluxe, and a 1940 Chevy Special Deluxe that this info applies to. P.S. Awesome Vintage late 30's music in the background.

[@fsommer1]

Excellent video and tutorial. It would be perfect if you could add more lighting so we can see inside.Some side lights would help a lot. Thanks

[@OldSoulShoebox]

Thank you for the two videos, really helped me with my '53.

[@TheJayhawker]

so glad to hear it, thanks for watching!

[@westonlee9778]

Outstanding I'm about to pull my 52 Chevy 3 speed and rebuild it. Deluxe

[@DJChrisArgueta]

I have a ‘51 Styleline. How did your transmission rebuild go? What is the transmission that our cars came with? Saginaw? Muncie?

[@jeremymoran5123]

Thank you for all your videos, very helpful. Getting ready to teardown the trans. in my 54 Chevrolet truck.

[@markpeterson9546]

If your synchros are grinding the gears look for wear on the energizer rings, on one end is a hook that keeps it from moving on the shaft, delicately lift it up and move the energizer ring 1-2 teeth and you will have a new surface for the syncro cone to slide over, this may do the trick and can be done through the shift cover without removing the trans from the car. Once you get the cover off you'll see what I'm talking about.

[@Daniel.lamere]

I have a 1948 stylemaster series that I'm about to start doing trans work on, thank you for these videos, there is a lot of great info here.

[@Michagan_outdoorsman_James]

dude i love theses vids u make great way of explaining things. i am learning a ton

[@jrgonzalez5781]

Love your explanations your video wish I could see it a little brighter though but thank you for your wisdom..

[@TheJayhawker]

Thanks for your input, this was one of my first car videos and I will forever regret not having better light. I have even considered rebuilding another for a better video.

[@sschevysjs]

Great content, I need this for my 48 Chevy. Hey, sell me that transmission holder lol

[@TheJayhawker]

I'm actually in the process of building some of these holders for sale, send me your email so I can keep track of you and I'll let you know when I have some for sale.

[@sschevysjs]

@@TheJayhawker Sweetness! I bet you got a lot of request lol. Good for you! [e-mail] (Steve)

[@tylerwatts1649]

Wonderful--thank you for this! I'm getting ready to rebuild mine for my '46 Aerosedan--you're making it too easy!

[@rtcapo1382]

Yes! Great info, you don’t see that many 3 speed tranny videos. One thing, could you add a light to wherever you camera is facing to light up the inside of the case? Other than that- I wish I was there learning it first hand! Thanks!

[@imrevarga8968]

Excellent video !! I have one suggestion ... it would be helpful if you had more light because it was hard to see what you were doing. I have a 1954 five window 3100 as a daily driver. I plan on watching your entire series for my truck. Thanks

[@TheJayhawker]

Yes I agree, and thanks for watching. This was one of my very first videos in the shop and wasn't set up well for what I was doing. Some day I may do an updated video. That's quite a daily driver, I'm jealous! 👍

[@geofflewis8599]

..to get the front bearing retainer out - try bicycle spanners - very thin spanners..will work..

[@Tater4200]

i got a 49 chevy 3100 with 3 speed column shift. and my shift cover is on the side. only difference i see is there are ONLY 4 bolts. none in the center there.

[@paulmuntalbano7342]

Hi Jayhawker, I appreciate your video. I recently acquired a Ford T85 w/Borg Warner Overdrive. I also scrapped and brushed (a lot more dirt, accumulated crude) from the exterior before I went online basically to ask the same question I hope that you might help answer. Don't know it's history, but it's dry inside and a bit rusty. I don't think there was an water intrusion. Input shaft spins, but the synchros and other gears are a bit frozen and before I put too large a wrench on the output shaft to free it up, I want to close it up and use either ATF or whatever solvent you might recommend...let the solvent sit inside the transmission for at least several days to help free things up before I go further. I appreciate your thoughts...Paul

[@TheJayhawker]

I'm a huge fan of Marvel Mystery Oil for situations like this. When I salvaged my mechanical press that had been outside for years the arbor gear was completely seized. I sprayed it for days with penetrating oil but didn't get anywhere. I then poured MMO down the gear cavity, came back in 24 hours and it moved! Some places sell it by the 1/2 gal. Thanks for watching and good luck on the tranny.

[@almamercado1434]

Hello good morning. Were can I purchase complete rebuild kit for that transmission please help me

[@ANOTHERSAVEDSOUL]

I have a very serious question for you. I have a 1940 Chevy Special Deluxe that im having problems with the transmission and want to swap it out with another that I came up on. The transmission that is available is out of a 1941 Chevy Master. Will this be compatible?

[@craigjorgensen4637]

As the remaining Kent Moore tools become scarcer and the old time mechanics give up the trades, jobs like this will become more and more difficult to have done. The old time Babbitt bearing guys are just about all gone now.

[@jamessimone4356]

What year trucks will a muncie sm 318 3spd with a closed driveline come with no overdrive

[@euzkadi44]

Pure excellence! Thank you so much! What type/brand of trans fluid did you use?

[@TheJayhawker]

80W90 Gear oil

[@DJChrisArgueta]

Thank you for the video. I’m trying to buy the rebuild kit for ‘51 Styleline Deluxe. It is the 3 speed manual transmission. What is the name and model number of my transmission? Saginaw 343? Muncie 351? Chevrolet 341? Thanks in advance.

[@chrislewis4830]

does the period music help you concentrate ?

[@tootsweet4us]

Hello - I had written you awhile back about my 1948 Fleetline trans and not being able to find neutral. I opened it up again, and figured out how the gears need to be aligned and matched the fork positions so it is still in neutral after I close it up. Before I button it up, I have a question about the smaller of the two linkages in the cover. I want to be sure it’s functioning as it’s supposed to. I can move the larger one by hand but the smaller one doesn’t want to rotate. I had taken it apart unnecessarily and I got it back together but not sure it’s right. As I said, the larger one seems to work, but the smaller one is in question. Can I send you some pics? Email/FB?

[@TheJayhawker]

yes you can send me pics: [e-mail]

[@leozanazanian4057]

Hello were can I find the rebuild kit and special tools to use it correctly so I don't damage anything.

[@TheJayhawker]

Rebuild kits can be found at chevsofthe40s.com or fillingstation.com. As far as special tools, they are hard to find. But you can get the job done with basic hand tools. I offer a vise mount for the transmission on ebay if you're interested. Just search for RMC-J-934.

[@alanroach7628]

Thanks for your videos. I'm rebuilding a 49 truck and would like to know how much you took off the front and splined areas of your oakie bushing.

[@TheJayhawker]

I matched the dimensions that I wrote down for the old one, thanks for watching.

[@alanroach7628]

Thanks for the response, do you feel like you got a good press fit with those measurements on the new oakie?

[@TheJayhawker]

@@alanroach7628 Yes I just matched the old one and it worked great

[@fsommer1]

Can you recommend a parts source for rebuilding this transmission? Oh, sorry now I saw the sources on your video. Again, thanks.

[@willyg6545]

Hey Jay, what would case the 2/3 speed clutch not to want to move with its levver? When i had the cover off it would move very easy using my finger? 1st-rev gear lever works great. Thanks.

[@TheJayhawker]

Does the shifting mechanism work when it is not attached to the transmission? The factory service manual outlines the service procedure for going through the shifters fairly well if you don't have one.

[@bossmodetubby]

Fuckin love this

[@kevinpfaff2301]

Hi I have a 42 chevy car and i would like to convert the column shift to a floor shift. Do they make a conversion shifter kit?

[@joshuahenderson9670]

Is this the same engine as a 48 stylemaster? Cause I have one with only one owner

[@omarhernandez-dm1qd]

Are those trans really that noisy? In operation?

[@lifestylemodificatio]

Well I am stuck, literally. At 13.:15 you start to take input shaft out of the front of trans case. I am able to push/pull the input shaft out of front of the trans case too but the butt of the shaft will not disconnect from the butt of the main shaft (output shaft). Some needle bearings fell out, there is separate movement between both shafts but something is binding them together and cannot pull them apart! Any idea???? Thanks for vids....

[@TheJayhawker]

My only thought is that the gears are binding for some reason. The only keeper should be the snap ring on the outside. Another thought is that the roller bearing on the outside of the shaft has been messed up, can you see any damage from the inside of the case?

[@lifestylemodificatio]

@@TheJayhawker thank u for your quick response. I am pretty sure there are no apparent gears binding but that is what I initially thought as well 🤔. I did remove the snap ring (keeper) from the outside/front of the trans of the main gear(input shaft) and I am able to push the main gear (input shaft) out far enough such that the bearing is free from/clear of the trans casing. Ironically, both shafts at this point have independent play both forward/back with slight swivel but will not fully separate completely. I noticed something .... 1. Not all the needle bearings fell out. From this connection? 2. There is a burr on the exposed main shaft(output shaft) adjacent to were it connects to the main gear (input shaft). Needle bearing damage? 3. There is no grinding sound between the 2 shafts at connection point when moved. They independently move freely. I am thinking a needle bearing might be binding preventing complete separation of the 2 shafts? I am stumped because it feels like a keeper would produce this or possibly a gear binding but I removed the keeper (snap ring) and cannot see/identify any gear binds at this time... Thanks for your feedback

[@wtfallready]

I have a 1940 special deluxe. I want to convert it to a floor shifter. Any ideas that would fit? Possibly a truck shifter? Thanks

[@TheJayhawker]

You may want to do a little more research, perhaps find a similar year truck or just get a hold of a truck transmission and take measurements. But from what I know about them there is very little difference between the truck and car 3 speeds except for the shift cover.

[@Pullingtractor]

What is the model number of this transmission?

[@beardedwoodsman9294]

What would cause 2nd gear to slide out gradually and 3rd gear to pop out really hard at random times?

[@TheJayhawker]

Check the fluid level first, the other two common reasons would be either your linkage isn't adjusted correctly or more than likely, your synchronizers are worn out.

[@beardedwoodsman9294]

@@TheJayhawker thank you…the level is good,I’m thinking synchros are worn though

[@mrkohibarivera7633]

Great, how much do you charge to rebuild a transmission. If I send it to you, thank you

[@TheJayhawker]

email me at [e-mail] and tell me what your project is, then I can get back to you.

[@dionwilson580]

Have you ever done a steering box on a 37 chev

[@TheJayhawker]

I have done steering boxes, but not specifically a '37. Would you like a video, or do you want someone to rebuild yours?

[@jj0rtega]

Our 1948 chevy runs and sounds OK until we let up on the gas. It makes a clicking/knocking noise. Is that a transmission problem?

[@TheJayhawker]

I would start with jacking up the rear end (please use jack stands) and spin the tires while an assistant listens for noises around the transmission (in neutral). Also you can slide back the front cover of the torque tube and check the trunnion (u-joint) for play.

[@dsim9988]

What kind of stand do you have withe the trans on? I have a 4 speed that I started taking apart but I have stopped because I don’t know what I’m doing. Lol

[@TheJayhawker]

I made a copy of an original Chevy service tool. But this one would not fit your 4 speed. Search Kent Moore J-934 on ebay. I have my own version for sale. I have a 4 speed and have been wanting to do a rebuild on it as well but it hasn't been a necessity yet. I will probably be making a holding tool for that when I do. Thanks for the question. Oh and invest in an original service manual, you'll get it figured out!

[@dsim9988]

@@TheJayhawker I do have the service manual but sometimes the wording in those books doesn’t always calculate with my brain lol

[@dsim9988]

@@TheJayhawker did you make the stand that the vice is on?

[@TheJayhawker]

@@dsim9988 Yes lol, The red piece is a wheel hub from a Massey Harris Super 27 Combine.

[@dsim9988]

So I got the SM 420 transmission apart and the case is empty. What can I soak the gears in?

[@craigjorgensen4637]

Very informative but the music is distracting.

[@davidhardin6649]

Can you ID my transmission that has 591102 casting? It’s on a ‘41 p/u.

[@TheJayhawker]

According to a quick search it's a '40 truck 3 speed. You should also be able to find a date code, a letter ( the month) and 3 numbers, the first two digits are the day and the last digit is the year.

[@davidhardin6649]

I followed both videos to a T and wound up with a grinding shifting from 2nd to 3rd. Shifting from/to any other gear is fine. If it were a clutch issue, I would think grinding would be in all gears. My only other thought is 3rd gear synchro was installed incorrectly(?) or no good brand new.

[@rickperalta13]

Wish you showed how to remove it from the engine

[@thisoldchevy2371]

4 bolts, shift linkage, ball joint, slide cover all the way back, slide out the transmission untill it tips down a little, the lift the driveshaft above the transmission, slide out the ball joint yoke, then the transmission can slide back far enough to be pulled to the side and removed.

[@yeseniagarcia2438]

where do i get parts from

[@TheJayhawker]

chevsofthe40s.com or fillingstation.com

[@Tater4200]

also...WHERE CAN I FIND THE BEARINGS AND SEALS NEEDED FOR MY 49 3 SPEED!?? man i really want to just slap new bearings and seals in this thing. the input shaft and output have about 1/16 to ab 1/8 inch of play in them. i can also grab the rear shaft and push it in and out about 1/8 inch. id like to rebuild it while i have it out and apart

[@TheJayhawker]

I personally use chevsofthe40s.com they should have all you need, call them for a better shipping rate. The filling station is another good supplier.

[@MisterDoug1649]

Hi I watch your videos a lot Do you know how to adjust the parking brake on your chev It just will not adjust on mine It seems stretched Is that possible Hope you can help.

[@TheJayhawker]

One of the last videos I did on this car was adjust the parking brake. Go to my channel, click on playlists and find the 1948 Stylemaster. There you will see all of the videos that I have made with that car.

[@VickeyGodwin]

A coupler puller wouldn’t work for taking the input bearing out

[@brettduffy1992]

I have no audio is that a synchronized transmission

[@TheJayhawker]

2nd -3rd is synchronized, 1st is not

[@shabbyc7867]

Good video, but everything is so dark that it’s to hard to see. I can’t figure out where the needle bearings go 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@TheJayhawker]

Yeah, so sorry about that. One of my earliest videos and didn't have great equipment. Watch part 2, starting at 21:48 I install the new needle bearings.

[@abseconPC]

I have no audio on my phone or these Transmissions synchronized

[@TheJayhawker]

2nd and 3rd are, 1st is not.

[@jonarvizu81]

Can you rebuild mine?

[@TheJayhawker]

If you want to ship it to me. It'll cost a couple hundred plus parts. Let me know (email [e-mail]) and thanks for watching!

[@MrTestical_]

Wish you would've shown how to remove it. I'm stumped.

[@TheJayhawker]

Yeah sorry, didn't start making videos until the rebuild. I'll be sure to get the next one. What are you having trouble with? Email me at [e-mail] if you prefer.

[@MrTestical_]

@@TheJayhawker thanks! I'm just having trouble following the manual for removing the transmission this is my first project. Did you have to fully remove the drive shaft to get the transmission out from the floor? The manual says you should be able to just slide it back and out but doesn't say the drive shaft needs to be fully removed to come apart.

[@TheJayhawker]

@@MrTestical_ Yes, if the engine is not to be removed, undo the flange around the u-joint ball, slide the ball back, undo the u-joint and slide it back on the shaft. Then if you can drop the front of the torque tube down out of the way. Then you can undo the trans. from the clutch housing.

[@MrTestical_]

@@TheJayhawker thank you!!!! Awesome videos btw. I appreciate your help and replies! Not to many videos on this car on youtube. Mine is a 49 and the original 216 still runs but I noticed it never had a oil filter built in. Was it the case with yours? The guy told me it was a dealership option. Nonetheless thanks for the help sir!

[@TheJayhawker]

@@MrTestical_ Yes, the industry really didn't get onto the oil filter thing even up into the 1960's. There were however a lot of accessory and aftermarket options out there to add a bolt-on filter canister that uses a pressure and return line to the block. Most generally they are clamped to the intake manifold.