I live close to Portland Oregon and there is a giant swap meet this weekend, and im thinking about getting a muncie. Does anyone recommend getting one at a swap meet? and what would be a good price for one, either there or if i got one somewhere else? and one more question what is the difference between close and wide ratio?

A Muncie has been out of production for about 35 years, and were the favorite of every hot rodder who ever wanted a four speed. They have an aluminum case that is prone to cracking as well as wear (Bearings wallow out the machined surfaces in the case under load and missed shifts).

If you want a Muncie they are being remanufactured "New" with stronger cases and your choice of gear sets. Unless you are building a numbers matching car I would recommend that approach.

While talking about gear sets there are three different stock gears in a Muncie four speed. M20 "wide ratio" was the standard RPO transmission with a first gear ratio of 2.52:1, second; 1.88:1, third; 1.46:1, fourth; 1.00:1. The M21 which came standard in the "Z/28" was a "close ratio" gear box with gear ratio of 2.20:1; second; 1.64:1, third; 1.28:1, fourth; 1.00:1. The gap between third and fourth was closer together to keep the engine in it’s torque curve in competition (the Z/28 was a factory race car built for TransAm racing). The final variant the M22 "Rock Crusher" was also a close ratio box but different in the angle the gears had on the shaft. The production gears were helical and had two teeth in constant mesh to reduce noise. However this produces a side load on the bearings which is transmitted to the aluminum case. So to reduce the stress levels inside the box (on the ball bearings) to prolong reliable operation under racing conditions the teeth were straightened out. This results in a loud howling noise as the teeth mesh and people said it sounds like a rock crusher in operation.

People have stated that the rock crusher is stronger which is were the name came from, which is partially true; there is less load on the case. However the size of the teeth and the shaft diameters as well as the bearing size are all the same. The M-22 will not withstand any more torque input than a M-21 or a M-20 for that matter. (In forty five years of racing I have broken only one Muncie case when I side stepped the clutch a 5,200 RPM with my L-88 427 Camaro at a drag race with 14 inch wide slicks. I blew the cluster gear out of the bottom of the case.)

I would also heartily recommend a five or six speed overdrive transmission if you actually plan on driving this car on the road as the savings in gasoline alone will pay for the transmission. (Not to mention engine wear and noise while driving).

Big Dave

thanks for the info. i got a 350/350 combo in there right now, but im planning on building a 400 hp 327 in the next couple of years for it and i would much rather have a manual behind it. since it is going to be more of a street machine and gas is getting rediculus, what kind of 5 speed would you reccomend?

Depending on what kind of car u have (im assuming a nova) classic chevy 5 speed has full out conversion kits for many chevy muscle cars,they use the tremec 5 speed,and they also offer a 6 speed-- http://www.classicchevy5speed.com depending on what your budget is,these are really nice kits that keep the geuss work out of what u will all need,these kits come with literally everthing u will need including a driveshaft,they also offer a hydrolic clutch kit. i've also done some research on the richmond line of transmissions and those also are a nice piece and are also offered in a six speed---http://richmondgear.com take a look, in my opinion these are the best two aftermarket manual transmissions on the market that offer all out drive-ability........Dan:thumbsup:

yup, i got a 63 ss. shes a work in progress but shes getting there. thanks for the info ill take a look at em

I was looking at one of the 6 speeds from Richmond or the T56 classic chevy 5 speed, but found out they don't bolt up to BOP engines without adapter plates or going with an aftermarket IA block that allows the starter to be mounted on either side and has a Chevy and BOP bell housing bolt pattern. Right now I will stick with my Muncie 3 speed and do an upgrade to a 5 speed later on down the road when I have the extra cash. I can't see spending money on a Muncie 4 speed just to replace it later.