M22

[Ronald R.]

I have a friend that has a realy nice Chevelle, 1968 375 HP. He is convinced he has a M22 tranny. I believe all the M22's in corvettes were in l88's. Any one tell me how to tell for sure?
thanks Ronnie

[Jim L.]

Re: M22

Any one tell me how to tell for sure?

One way..... drive the car in 1st gear and listen to the noise of the gears.

An M22 isn't called a "rock crusher" for nuthin'.

Jim

[Ken A.]

Re: M22

Actually, set up correctly, they're not that noisy. The only way to tell, for sure, is to pull the side cover and compare the gears to a non M-22.

[Wayne M.]

Re: M22

I have a friend that has a realy nice Chevelle, 1968 375 HP. He is convinced he has a M22 tranny. I believe all the M22's in corvettes were in l88's. Any one tell me how to tell for sure?
thanks Ronnie

Per A. Colvin's book Chevy by the Numbers, there were 1,049 M22's installed in Chevelles in the 1968 model year. The figure quoted for Corvette were 80 (in brackets behind is L88). So in L88-only for Corvettes.

There were a total of 2,697 M22's installed in 1968 model year Chevrolet products.

[Ronald R.]

Re: M22

I have a 70 ZR1 and know what you are talking about. The car seems correct and has the vin in the body flange. It just seems strange it would be offered in the chevelle but not the vette!
thanks RDR

[Michael W.]

Re: M22

Lighter cars didn't need the strength of the M22.

[Dan P.]

Re: M22

I have a 70 ZR1 and know what you are talking about. The car seems correct and has the vin in the body flange. It just seems strange it would be offered in the chevelle but not the vette!
thanks RDR

Ronald - what is the date stamp on your M22? Just curious if its an early or late ZR1. I have a July 1, 1970 built ZR1 and have noted a few of other ZR1's with M22's that were built on the same day. PM or email me if you would like to compare notes Re dates and vins.

[Keith B.]

Re: M22

does it have one drain plug or two drain plugs

[Wayne M.]

Re: M22

does it have one drain plug or two drain plugs

Keith -- all 1970 and later M20, M21 and M22 Muncie 4-speeds use the 3925661 maincase, which is drilled for both the fill and drain plugs. However, the 1968 and 1969 3925660 maincases were drilled for drains only on the M22.

[John H.]

Re: M22

Pull the side cover - if the gear helix angles look like this, it's an M20 or M21:



If they look like this, it's an M22:

[Ronald R.]

Re: M22

John
You the man
RDR

[Terry M.]

Re: M22

Lighter cars didn't need the strength of the M22.

Mike,
Chevelles (especially with a large motor -- weren't they all) are about the same weight as a Corvette, depending on body style of Chevelle -- coupe, sedan, convertible, or station wagon.

[Joe L.]

Re: M22

I have a friend that has a realy nice Chevelle, 1968 375 HP. He is convinced he has a M22 tranny. I believe all the M22's in corvettes were in l88's. Any one tell me how to tell for sure?
thanks Ronnie

Ronnie----


I can tell you, for sure, that some 1968 Chevelles with L-78 were also equipped with M-22 transmission. I factory ordered one and took delivery in May, 1968. As far as Chevelles go, I believe the M-22 was only available with L-78 but it was not required.

As far as Corvettes go, the M-22 was not singularly available with L-88. It was also available with 1966 L-72, all 1970-72 with ZR-1, and 1971 with ZR-2 and 4 speed transmission.

[Terry M.]

Re: M22

And don't forget 1971 with LS6 and 4-speed.

[Pierre J.]

Re: M22

My '69 Z28 had an M22 with fine splines on the input shaft, the M21 has coarse splines. Not sure if this is applicable to all applications.
Pierre