im switch from a turbo 350 to a saginaw 4 speed in my 71 chevelle and was wondering if i had to change my crossmeber and i have a open bottom cast iron passenger car bellhousing will this work with the saginawmy engine is a 350 and can i keep the driveline the same lenght

I used to have a 350 with a Saginaw. I would NOT recommend it. Sooner (probablly) or later, it WILL grenade on you, and you'll be replacing it with a Muncie. Save the coin and go with the Muncie or Super T-10 right off the bat.

Fairly sure crossmember is the same between TH350 & 4 speed, but I may be wrong. Not sure about the driveshaft length.

The th350, a Saginaw and a Muncie are all the same length and use the same cross member. The cross member, yoke and drive shaft changes are only necessary if you go to a ST-10, M22 or th400. The Saginaw is a better transmission than its reputation would have you believe. Dumping the clutch and hard downshifting will break it. So, take it easy. I used a Saginaw for two years with a weak 283. No problems. The Saginaw is good if you can't afford a Muncie right now. That way, you can get your manual set up all done and working and upgrade later to a Muncie. Money is always a factor with hobby car projects. Doing projects in stages is a good way to get things done without going into debt.

For what it's worth, the th350 is stronger and more able to withstand abuse than a Saginaw and maybe even a M20/M21.

I agree that a 350 is strong, but there is nothing like rowing gears !!!!!!! my old saginaw is behind my brothers 427, needless to say he doesn't beat on it, but it is still fun.

I used to have a 350 with a Saginaw. I would NOT recommend it. Sooner (probablly) or later, it WILL grenade on you, and you'll be replacing it with a Muncie. Save the coin and go with the Muncie or Super T-10 right off the bat.

Fairly sure crossmember is the same between TH350 & 4 speed, but I may be wrong. Not sure about the driveshaft length.

Exactly what Sid said. If you like to beat on it a Saginaw will not last.

I agree with Bill. A manual four speed is much more fun than an automatic. To me, fun is the only reason for having an old Chevelle and a manual four speed is the only way to go.

I liked my Saginaw. I don't think it had ever been rebuilt. The gears are worn together in a way that makes the tranny quiet and very smooth shifting. Plus, it has a low, low first gear. When I upgraded from a 283 to a 350, the time was right to upgrade to a Muncie as well.

I'll agree with TEDIXON in that if you just want to enjoy driving a 4 speed, then it'll last a while. He also has a good point about upgrading in stages.

BUT-if you start dumping the clutch, speed shifting, even semi-harddownshifts, it'll go south on you pretty quick. They're just not made to withstand the loads of a heavy car. The better your traction, the shorter the lift of the trans.

Note: the speedo is on the opposite side of the muncie (not sure where the TH-350 speedo outlet is located), you might have to swap speedo cables.