Muncie trans rod differences

[mechandesign]

Can someone please explain to me why the muncie 4 speed transmission rods were different between small blocks and big blocks? Why would it make any difference?

[Kelley W King]

just my 2 cents. Locate the shift handle correctly because the big block moved the trans slightly.

[WorkinProgress]

It is because the Big Block engine frame mounts move the engine slightly to the pass side. The reason is, the drivers exhaust manifold would either hit or would be too close to the steering box. So with the engine being shifted to the pass side they had to also offset the transmission cross member. Because of that, to get the shifter handle to sit centered in the hole, they had a different shifter bracket for B/B. To compensate for that they needed shifter rods that were angled differently.

                                            - Warren

[william]

Measured from the rear mounting surface of the block, a BB is about .38" forward of the SB position. The shifter mounting bracket is unique to the BB and positions the shifter further back on the trans to maintain the same operational positioning as a SB. Therefore, all rods have to be slightly longer.

[bcmiller]

Yep, rods need to be longer because of the shifter mounting bracket difference.

[Kelley W King]

Could be why my shifter is too far back and wants to hit the floor cutout in 2nd and 4th. Trans and shifter not original to car. No console to hit. May have BB parts on a SB car?

[bcmiller]

Could be why my shifter is too far back and wants to hit the floor cutout in 2nd and 4th. Trans and shifter not original to car. No console to hit. May have BB parts on a SB car?

Could be. Have you seen this report (which has pics of differences).

http://www.camaros.org/shifters.shtml