How to Tell the Difference Between a 4 Speed Muncie & a Saginaw Transmission
by Joe FriedmanMuncie and Saginaw were two production facilities for General Motors vehicles for many years. In the 1960s and 1970s, both factories produced four-speed transmissions for some otherwise identical cars. Car enthusiasts care a great deal about the specifics of their particular classic vehicle, so knowing whether their particular Chevy Camaro has a Muncie or Saginaw transmission is very important to them. Other than slightly different gear ratios, there are a handful of ways to tell Muncie and Saginaw transmissions apart merely by visual inspection.
Step 1
Locate the reverse lever on the transmission. On the Muncie, it's mounted in the extension housing. On a Saginaw, it's mounted in the side cover.
Step 2
Look at the construction of the transmission. The Muncie is aluminum-case, but the Saginaw transmission is cast-iron-case.
Step 3
Look at the identification number stamped on the transmission. The last five numbers are sequential serial numbers, and each plant only produced a specific block of them. Muncie produced serial numbers 35000 through 44999. Saginaw's serial numbers all end between 25000 and 34999.
References
Writer Bio
Joe Friedman began writing in 2008 while in the U.S. Air Force as a KC-10 tanker pilot. He is now an equipment engineer in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. Friedman holds a Bachelor of Science in engineering physics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Science in electrical engineering from Drexel University.
