&4 Muncie
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3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2025
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&4 Muncie
After removing a broken speedometer cable tip from my 74 Corvettes' four speed Muncie transmission the nylon gear for the cable fell into the case.
My question is can I remove the shifter cover to retrieve it without removing the transmission from the car?
I'm finding it can be done on mid 70's Chevelle's.
Any suggestions?
My question is can I remove the shifter cover to retrieve it without removing the transmission from the car?
I'm finding it can be done on mid 70's Chevelle's.
Any suggestions?
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From: Northern Illinois
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Moved you here out of introductions... Welcome, folks here should be able to help with further discussion.. GL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,186
Likes: 266
After removing a broken speedometer cable tip from my 74 Corvettes' four speed Muncie transmission the nylon gear for the cable fell into the case.
My question is can I remove the shifter cover to retrieve it without removing the transmission from the car?
I'm finding it can be done on mid 70's Chevelle's.
Any suggestions?
My question is can I remove the shifter cover to retrieve it without removing the transmission from the car?
I'm finding it can be done on mid 70's Chevelle's.
Any suggestions?
Try to find a mechanics part pick-up CLAW and with a LOT of luck - you might be able to fish it out through the speedometer gear hole ?
You will also need a small pen light , a mirror for sure , a pair of 90 degree needle nose pliers MIGHT help also - this is a pretty tricky proposition
I have never had it happen to me but some people have just left it when they couldn't extract the gear - it's plastic so shouldn't chew up anything other than itself.
Good luck & have fun
It'l ONLY be FUN if you pull it off
Last edited by QIK59; Feb 17, 2025 at 02:31 PM. Reason: "LOT of luck"
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
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Ersonally i would leave it, but with the bullet out, and a desperate need to have it i would try mechanics fingers as mentioned. When that doesnt work, disconnect the shifter and transmission mount, jack up the rear of the engine just enough to take the weight off the tranny. Then remove the 4 bolts holding it on the bell hosing. You can then rotate it enough so that it gets closer to the hole giving you a better chance of grabbing it with the mech fingers or a hook. You might get some gear oil to spill out if you rotate it too much.....again is this worth it
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 331
Likes: 123
From: Sandusky, OH
Just as a reference photo, I am certain all you need to get into is the extension housing. You should buy the book ( Muncie 4-Speed Transmissions: How to Repair and Modify ) beforehand and not get into the “wrong” place.
Steve O.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,186
Likes: 266
Do YOU have any idea's HOW to get into the extension housing ??
Rescue has a good idea - would be tricky and laborious to "pull off" though - might be a good try if you were desperately wanting to get that little ugger out LOL
You would need to drain the tranny or could turn into a real mess
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 331
Likes: 123
From: Sandusky, OH
I’m just trying to say…Get the book…see what’s entailed.
Q1K59… that’s the quickest extension housing picture I could find. And if the OP feels confused by this then he needs to research solid info.
Everybody’s “spitballing” a repair.
Steve O.
Q1K59… that’s the quickest extension housing picture I could find. And if the OP feels confused by this then he needs to research solid info.
Everybody’s “spitballing” a repair.
Steve O.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
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BOOK is useful if you're going to work on a Muncie NOT fish out a speedo gear
SOME people know what they are talking about
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,186
Likes: 266
I don't need to tell YOU anything................................ .
Last edited by QIK59; Feb 17, 2025 at 11:22 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 365
Likes: 93
From: Chesterfield VA
It will be in the tail housing not the main case. I'm going to warn you that it is not going to be easy to do this under the car. The reverse gear and slider for it are a PITA when its on a bench let alone to try and do it under the car.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Connecticut, USA
This really comes down to 2 options.
1-You may get lucky fishing for it. the midplate blocks access to the tail housing from the side cover and forget about that in the car.
2- You remove the trans, then remove the tail housing. The right way.
The only gear that actually moves in the trans is the reverse gear and it's the largest. If the plastic gear is out of the way it may never be an issue. If it moves forward and gets in the path of the reverse gear who knows.
1-You may get lucky fishing for it. the midplate blocks access to the tail housing from the side cover and forget about that in the car.
2- You remove the trans, then remove the tail housing. The right way.
The only gear that actually moves in the trans is the reverse gear and it's the largest. If the plastic gear is out of the way it may never be an issue. If it moves forward and gets in the path of the reverse gear who knows.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,186
Likes: 266
This really comes down to 2 options.
1-You may get lucky fishing for it. the midplate blocks access to the tail housing from the side cover and forget about that in the car.
2- You remove the trans, then remove the tail housing. The right way.
The only gear that actually moves in the trans is the reverse gear and it's the largest. If the plastic gear is out of the way it may never be an issue. If it moves forward and gets in the path of the reverse gear who knows.
1-You may get lucky fishing for it. the midplate blocks access to the tail housing from the side cover and forget about that in the car.
2- You remove the trans, then remove the tail housing. The right way.
The only gear that actually moves in the trans is the reverse gear and it's the largest. If the plastic gear is out of the way it may never be an issue. If it moves forward and gets in the path of the reverse gear who knows.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Seems it would either drop to the bottom of the tailpiece housing and remain there or get ground up by the reverse gear which may or may not be a problem so for now I'm leaving it as is and will see what happens,
Thanks to all for the advice!
Thanks to all for the advice!
