1958 4-speed and Muncie M20 Transmission
04-24-2009, 05:46 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
1958 4-speed and Muncie M20 Transmission
I have a 58 with a 350 and auto transmission. I purchased a Muncie M20 4-speed and plan to install it. I want to put the original shifter on the M20. Will the original 4-speed shifter fit on the M20 and will the shifter lever fit as the original position in the car? I want to put the rubber boot, ash tray, and trim around the shifter lever. The automatic lever in the car now does not center in the console area. Thanks to all with any input. Steve
04-24-2009, 10:31 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
I encountered such issues.. I switched my car from a Powerglide to a Muncie 4 speed. I have an original shifter in my car, but I think the shifter linkage is different for T10s and Muncies. The guy who I got the shifter from had it in a '59 with a Muncie, so it already had the linkage I needed.
Was your car always an automatic or was it born with a manual trans???
Was your car always an automatic or was it born with a manual trans???
04-24-2009, 10:48 PM
#4
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The 58 Corvettes with a 4sp had the STRAIGHT, round shifter lever (last year). The T-handle shifter was introduced in 59.
Your best shifting results, with a FACTORY look, will be accomplished with a Hurst shifter for a mid-60s Corvette with a Muncie, then buy one of the replica shifter handles that is made to bolt to the Hurst shifter.
You will have the great positive shifting of a Hurst and a factory shifter look.
Like this.
Also, when you install a Muncie in a 55-62 Corvette, you will need the rear tranny mount plate (installed in all 4sp 62 Vettes) which is available from any of the Vette vendors for about $20. The 62 Vettes had 1/8in spacers BETWEEN the tranny cross member and the frame. You will get slightly better mounting results if you use even thicker spacers. On the 56, I use 1in square tubing to space the tranny cross member down.
You can see the 62 tranny mount plate and the spacers in the pictures below.
Tom Parsons
Your best shifting results, with a FACTORY look, will be accomplished with a Hurst shifter for a mid-60s Corvette with a Muncie, then buy one of the replica shifter handles that is made to bolt to the Hurst shifter.
You will have the great positive shifting of a Hurst and a factory shifter look.
Like this.
Also, when you install a Muncie in a 55-62 Corvette, you will need the rear tranny mount plate (installed in all 4sp 62 Vettes) which is available from any of the Vette vendors for about $20. The 62 Vettes had 1/8in spacers BETWEEN the tranny cross member and the frame. You will get slightly better mounting results if you use even thicker spacers. On the 56, I use 1in square tubing to space the tranny cross member down.
You can see the 62 tranny mount plate and the spacers in the pictures below.
Tom Parsons
Last edited by DZAUTO; 04-24-2009 at 11:12 PM.
04-25-2009, 12:49 AM
#5
Advanced
Steve,
You can use an original 58 shifter on your Muncie and retain the original position. I used to run a Muncie in my 61 with the T10 shifter. I had to use Muncie levers on the trans and I had to shorten/lengthen the arms to fit. If I remember correctly, I cut up some stock Muncie shifter rods. (This was back in the '60s, when a new Hurst was to expensive for me!)
Tom's suggestion may be better for you in the long run. The stock 58 shifter is marginal, at best. You may notice that Tom has lowered his trans quite a bit. The 62 spacers are only about 1/4 inch thick, Tom has used tubing to lower the trans more.
Tom, how do you keep the bottom of your car so clean??!!!
You can use an original 58 shifter on your Muncie and retain the original position. I used to run a Muncie in my 61 with the T10 shifter. I had to use Muncie levers on the trans and I had to shorten/lengthen the arms to fit. If I remember correctly, I cut up some stock Muncie shifter rods. (This was back in the '60s, when a new Hurst was to expensive for me!)
Tom's suggestion may be better for you in the long run. The stock 58 shifter is marginal, at best. You may notice that Tom has lowered his trans quite a bit. The 62 spacers are only about 1/4 inch thick, Tom has used tubing to lower the trans more.
Tom, how do you keep the bottom of your car so clean??!!!
04-25-2009, 07:31 AM
#6
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Steve,
You can use an original 58 shifter on your Muncie and retain the original position. I used to run a Muncie in my 61 with the T10 shifter. I had to use Muncie levers on the trans and I had to shorten/lengthen the arms to fit. If I remember correctly, I cut up some stock Muncie shifter rods. (This was back in the '60s, when a new Hurst was to expensive for me!)
Tom's suggestion may be better for you in the long run. The stock 58 shifter is marginal, at best. You may notice that Tom has lowered his trans quite a bit. The 62 spacers are only about 1/4 inch thick, Tom has used tubing to lower the trans more.
Tom, how do you keep the bottom of your car so clean??!!!
You can use an original 58 shifter on your Muncie and retain the original position. I used to run a Muncie in my 61 with the T10 shifter. I had to use Muncie levers on the trans and I had to shorten/lengthen the arms to fit. If I remember correctly, I cut up some stock Muncie shifter rods. (This was back in the '60s, when a new Hurst was to expensive for me!)
Tom's suggestion may be better for you in the long run. The stock 58 shifter is marginal, at best. You may notice that Tom has lowered his trans quite a bit. The 62 spacers are only about 1/4 inch thick, Tom has used tubing to lower the trans more.
Tom, how do you keep the bottom of your car so clean??!!!
My hot water heater is turned up to max temp (about 150deg) and I supply my power washer with hot water from a hose connected to a faucet in the garage. Sometimes I put it up on stands or on the Kwiklift, roll it outside, roll under it and give it a good "bath"!
Tom Parsons
