'59 Saginaw 3 speed Synchro 1st gear

[Ken K.]

My '59 Saginaw 3 speed transmission has an non-synchro first gear. I know in the later years they changed that to make first a syncro gear. My question is: Can I have my first gear changed over to be a syncro gear? Has anyone did this? And if so what should I know when the time comes? Any part number of the correct gear?
Thanks Ken

[Joe L.]

Re: '59 Saginaw 3 speed Synchro 1st gear

Ken-----

The design of the pre-1966 3 speeds was completely different than the 1966-69 which had a synchronized first gear. I don't think that any of the internal parts interchange, although some of the smaller pieces might. So, I don't think that you can convert yours to synchronized first gear with factory parts (virtually none of which are available, anyway).

If there is an aftermarket conversion, I am unaware of it. That doesn't mean that there is not one, though; I don't really follow this market.

As a complete unit, I don't think that there's any problem with interchange, though. So, if you found a good 66+ 3 speed, you could retrofit it to your car.