Will a richmond 5 speed directly replace my Muncie 4 speed on my 65 with a 327?
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Re: Richmond 5 Speed
I think it will, I know back in the early 80's quite a few guys dropped these into their 70s and early 80's cars with no problems. If you do a search of the archives, there has been some postings on trans swaps with links to a place that sells 5 and 6 speed conversions. -
Re: Richmond 5 Speed
I know a guy who has a Doug Nash 5 speed in his 65. It is a VERY tight install but will fit. You may need to unbolt the engine and move it forward to get the transmission in place.
VerleComment
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Re: Richmond 5 Speed
On a C3 (which I suspect will be the same for your car) you need to move the motor to get it in. You also need to modify the transmission mount (I would buy a replacement to modify). You will need to find a new transmission yoke, if I remember correctly it's the one for a TH400. I don't believe that the Long shifter will work (it might). I would buy the Hurst and get the T handle so that it looks sort of like the original.
The richmond has no provision for backup light switch. It's also noisy and a bit notchy to shift. I highly recomend you keep the 4 speed in case you decide to re-install it.
You don't need to cut any fiberglass or cut the drive shaft. This is a reversible procedure.
The 5th gear on the Richmond is 1 to 1. The Keisler 5 speed has a higher 5 gear, comes as a kit and is more expensive.
I've never seen or driven a car with the Keisler 5 speed.Comment
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Re: Richmond 5 Speed
the ZF6, supplied in the 6 speed c-4's is quiet, tough as nails, heavy, shifts better and smoother and more definitive than the c-5 6 speeds and would probably require some floor pan plastic surgery when installed in a c-2. But , in 5th gear, the final driveshaft ratio is about .75 to 1 and in 6th gear, the ratio is .49 to one. with the ZF6 and 4.56:1 ring and pinion, i still get 23mpg at 80+ mph on a flat interstate. probably not a good idea if the c-2 has retoration potential but if its already been extensivly modified, you may want to consider this tranny.they usually sell for 1500-2000 bucks used. mikeComment
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Re: Richmond 5 Speed
Doug, I installed a Richmond 5-speed in my '70 small block a few years ago and while it was a tight fit, I did not have to move the engine forward to install it. What I DID need to do was this: 1.) remove the tailshaft housing from the Richmond 2.) slide the back end of the trans up over the crossmember from the front 3.) swing the front of the trans up and into the bellhousing (I had to lower the rear of my engine slightly to get the input shaft into the bellhousing opening 4.)slip the tailshaft housing up over the back of the crossmember and bolt it back up to the transmission 5.) slide the trans and trans input shaft forward into the clutch and bolt the trans to the bellhousing.
Nothing needed to be cut on the car. The trans mount needs to be modified (directions are provided). The speedo cable hooks right up and the Richmond uses the same driven speedo gears as the Muncie. I used a Hurst 5-speed shifter which could accept a stock-appearing Corvette-type shift lever. I fabricated a bracket and used a small limit switch adjacent to the reverse linkage to serve as a back-up light switch.
You will need a Turbo 400 spline yoke for the output shaft. I used a combo u-joint (NAPA #153 I think) to connect the Turbo 400 spline yoke to my '70 driveshaft. The driveshaft did not need to be shortened. With the modification of the transmission mount, the stock exhaust pipe support bracket will no longer work so you may have to be creative here.
The Richmond is more robust and requires more effort than shifting a well-used Muncie. As others have stated, it is a direct drive (1:1) fifth gear, so it will not 'gear down' a numerically high rear axle. You do get a deep (3.27) first gear and well spaced intermediate ratios. With a 3.08 rear axle, you'll have the best of both worlds with gears 1-4 giving gearing equivalent to a M-21 CR Muncie + a 4.56 rear axle and 5th gear with a 3.08 rear axle. If you go higher than a 3.36 rear gear, you're really not using this transmission to its best advantage and should either consider changing your rear axle OR choosing a true overdrive transmission with a top gear ratio of less than 1:1.
Good luck with your decision and the installation if you choose to proceed.Comment
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Re: Richmond 5 Speed
Jon,
Do you have a picture of what you fabricated for the backup light switch?Comment
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Re: Richmond 5 Speed
Mike, I don't have a picture of this switch installation, but if you want I will get the '70 up on the lift this weekend and take a picture. Let me know.
JonComment
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Re: Richmond 5 Speed
Jon,
I'd like to see it but, I don't need it this week. If you think about it next time you have the car on the lift and can take a picture for me that would be great.
I've thought about trying to make something but don't have access to a lift. Having a picture of a switch that works should make the project alot easier. The older I get the idea of laying on the garage floor for hours is losing more and more of it's appeal.
My email address is mbaker@dsrg.com
Thanks.Comment
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