Question on L78 motor

[442w30]

Let's say we're talking about 1968, if it makes a difference - was the 3-speed standard? Or 4-speed mandatory? Thanks!

[mockingbird812]

My understanding is the 3 speed manual was the standard tranny behind any 396 unless you selected an optional tranny such as a Muncie M20 or GMs TH 400.

[442w30]

Yeah, but that's for the base cars - not sure about the L78. Certainly the TH400 wasn't available in 1968 for the L78 aside of the COPO Nova.

[DWR]

On my 66 L78 window sticker it shows the M21 4-speed costing $105.35 extra. This would lead me to believe the 3-speed would have been installed at no extra cost on an L78 order if an optional transmission was not ordered, at least in 66.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

My understanding for 1969 is that the 3 speed standard was standard equipment, up to and including an L78, even L89, would get a 3 speed if no optional trans was selected, I have yet to see one:-)

Ryan

[442w30]

Was the M20 ever available?

[RPO LS7]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 442w30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Let's say we're talking about 1968, if it makes a difference - was the 3-speed standard? Or 4-speed mandatory? Thanks! </div></div>
http://www.camaros.org/diffs68.shtml

[bigsixman]

The HD Muncie 3 speed was standard for the 66-69 SS396 chevelle. We had a 66 SS396 325 hp bench seat car with the 3 speed. We had two 69 SS396 chevelles with the 3 speed. The one was a 375 hp, chambered exhaust and 4.10 posi rear. I asked the owner when the car was new about the 3 speed in a 396/375 car and he told me that it was all he could afford at the time and he would switch it out for a 4 speed when he could swing it. The second car had buckets, console, 325 hp motor, D-96 stripe and a posi rear.

The HD Muncie full syncro 3 speed tranny would live pretty well with big block power up front.

[bigsixman]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RPO LS7</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 442w30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Let's say we're talking about 1968, if it makes a difference - was the 3-speed standard? Or 4-speed mandatory? Thanks! </div></div>
http://www.camaros.org/diffs68.shtml </div></div>

The 3 speed full syncro Muncie was standard on the 68 SS396 chevelle.

[cook_dw]

If I am not mistaken the M13 was standard but not sure any have been confirmed that any L78 was ordered with one (1968). KurtS would be able to confirm if they have any in the database.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bigsixman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The HD Muncie 3 speed was standard for the 66-69 SS396 chevelle. We had a 66 SS396 325 hp bench seat car with the 3 speed. We had two 69 SS396 chevelles with the 3 speed. The one was a 375 hp, chambered exhaust and 4.10 posi rear. I asked the owner when the car was new about the 3 speed in a 396/375 car and he told me that it was all he could afford at the time and he would switch it out for a 4 speed when he could swing it. The second car had buckets, console, 325 hp motor, D-96 stripe and a posi rear.

The HD Muncie full syncro 3 speed tranny would live pretty well with big block power up front. </div></div>

Wow where are they now?

Ryan

[cook_dw]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bigsixman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

The 3 speed full syncro Muncie was standard on the 68 SS396 chevelle. </div></div>


I forgot to add that in 67 &amp; 68 Camaro used the Borg Warner HD 3 speed trans. Interesting Chevelle would have used the Muncie 3 speed in 68. Camaro didnt go to it until 69.

[WILMASBOYL78]

I have never seen any big block Nova [L34or L78] with a 3spd manual tranny...it would be interesting to see window stickers showing the transmission choices. The only one we have is for a 1970 listing the optional M21.

The original owner of our 68 L78 car told me the dealer made him order the M22 tranny when he chose the L78 motor...of course this was 47 years ago...but, that is what he said.

I will check the docs on our 70 Canadian car and see what the original owner ordered...we have the sales order form.

Interesting stuff...wilma

[PeteLeathersac]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ryan1969Chevelle</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bigsixman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The HD Muncie 3 speed was standard for the 66-69 SS396 chevelle. We had a 66 SS396 325 hp bench seat car with the 3 speed. We had two 69 SS396 chevelles with the 3 speed. The one was a 375 hp, chambered exhaust and 4.10 posi rear. I asked the owner when the car was new about the 3 speed in a 396/375 car and he told me that it was all he could afford at the time and he would switch it out for a 4 speed when he could swing it. The second car had buckets, console, 325 hp motor, D-96 stripe and a posi rear.

The HD Muncie full syncro 3 speed tranny would live pretty well with big block power up front. </div></div>

Wow where are they now?

Ryan
</div></div>


There's a '69 L78 Chevelle w/ factory HD 3-Spd. we looked at here a few years ago.
I can't seem to find the thread but it's a Canadian car delivered by Canada's only Yenko Network dealer, Mo Carter's City Chevrolet in Hamilton On.

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[bigsixman]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WILMASBOYL78</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have never seen any big block Nova [L34or L78] with a 3spd manual tranny...it would be interesting to see window stickers showing the transmission choices. The only one we have is for a 1970 listing the optional M21.

The original owner of our 68 L78 car told me the dealer made him order the M22 tranny when he chose the L78 motor...of course this was 47 years ago...but, that is what he said.

I will check the docs on our 70 Canadian car and see what the original owner ordered...we have the sales order form.

Interesting stuff...wilma </div></div>

Wilma, a friend of mine in April 1970 was considering a black/black bench seat SS396 nova with a 350 hp motor and a 3 speed due to trying to keep the purchase price down. His parents did not like their son buying a Chevrolet, because they were high society in their opinion, so they helped him purchase a 1970 W-31 cutlass that cost about $800.00 more. The dealer tried to get him to purchase a loaded rally 350 cutlass that they had in stock, but he stuck to his guns and ordered a black/black W-31. The dealer notified him about 2 weeks later that Oldsmobile had stopped building the W-31 cutlass, so he specified the 350/310 hp motor with a turbo 350 trans and tried to get the rest of the car as close to the car that he originally ordered. He was still able to get the hood, gauges, and the
suspension, but the striping only came on the hood and he was unable to get the W-31 side striping. He mentioned to me that he could have ordered a 3 speed manual with that car too.

[bigsixman]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cook_dw</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bigsixman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

The 3 speed full syncro Muncie was standard on the 68 SS396 chevelle. </div></div>


I forgot to add that in 67 &amp; 68 Camaro used the Borg Warner HD 3 speed trans. Interesting Chevelle would have used the Muncie 3 speed in 68. Camaro didnt go to it until 69. </div></div>

Darrel, you are correct and I was wrong, the BW T16 3 speed was indeed the standard transmission in 67 and 68 and it was the M13 option. The Muncie HD 3 speed was introduced in 1969.

[PeteLeathersac]

Still can't find the Mo Carter delivered L78 3-Spd '69 Chevelle thread but here's a link to the car featured on another site...
http://phscollectorcarworld.blogspot.ca/2012/11/1969-chevelle-ss-396-l78-super-secret.html

That '69 Monaco Orange L35 Bench car Dan V. posted that sold here a few years ago was 3-Spd delivered car too, here's a link to the thread w/ it...
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&amp;Number=477121&amp;page=all

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PeteLeathersac</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Still can't find the Mo Carter delivered L78 3-Spd '69 Chevelle thread but here's a link to the car featured on another site...
http://phscollectorcarworld.blogspot.ca/2012/11/1969-chevelle-ss-396-l78-super-secret.html

That '69 Monaco Orange L35 Bench car Dan V. posted that sold here a few years ago was 3-Spd delivered car too, here's a link to the thread w/ it...
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&amp;Number=477121&amp;page=all

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

I used to Email Tim about his L78 car and never noticed it was a three speed standard car. Guess I can't say I have never seen one:-)

A bear ran out and hit his car and it rolled:-( but Tim is ok:-)

Ryan http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/01/full-13277-20124-image.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/01/full-13277-20124-image.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/01/full-13277-20125-image.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/01/full-13277-20128-image.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/01/full-13277-20129-image.jpg



</div></div>

[PeteLeathersac]

WoW, what an update Ryan but great to hear Tim's Ok!
I used to email w/ him too, great guy but haven't heard from him in a few years so had no idea what had happened.
Do you know what he's been up to since also if he got another car or what became of his L78 Chevelle after the accident?
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif
~ Pete

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=691346&amp;highlight=bear

He posted the story on Team Chevelle

Ryan

[Postsedan]

Tim's Chevelle was very dear and special to him.....his prized possession. Tim is ok and doing well.....but is currently out of the car scene. Understandable, but sad.

Dan

[Kurt S]

I've seen several Camaro L35's with M13/MC1. But very few L78's. 1 possible 67. 1 known 69. Most M13/MC1 cars have been changed for a 4-speed over the years.

Almost as rare as the 68 TH400 floor shifter (without console). Found one of those still with the original window sticker.
Turquoise with turquoise bench and M11 auto floor shifter. Owner said it was weird - and changed it to red, black int, 4-speed, console. Just like any other Camaro now.....

[iluv69s]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kurt S</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Almost as rare as the 68 TH400 floor shifter (without console). Found one of those still with the original window sticker.
</div></div>

sorry to hijack this thread, but we are talking Camaro here, correct?? floor shift auto without console?? what did that look like?? thanks..

[John Brown]

Here's part of one that was on ebay years ago. I didn't want it bad enough, evidently..... Looks a lot like a Mustang / Pinto set-up.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/01/full-461-20169-turbo_400_no_console.jpg

[Kurt S]

I know of 3 68 cars that had it. There are more, but not many.
Thanks for posting the pic John.

[iluv69s]

Wowww.. I never knew it was availble.... glad I did not bet anyone !! Thanks John and as always thanks Kurt !!

[cook_dw]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kurt S</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know of 3 68 cars that had it. There are more, but not many.
Thanks for posting the pic John.
</div></div>

Im assuming you are not referring to L78s?

[Kurt S]

(3) 68 BB's with M11 auto shifter.