1965-1967 Muncie 4-speed levers

[David L.]

As far as I know the 1965-1967 Corvettes w/Muncie 4-speeds used only one set of levers (GM # 3864402, 1-2 lever; GM # 3864403, 3-4 lever; and GM # 3846891, rev. lever). Enclosed is a picture of the levers which I removed from my 1966 Corvette in 1980 during it's frame-up restoration. The 1-2 lever and 3-4 lever match up EXACTLY with the shop drawings in Noland Adam's 63-67 Corvette restoration book (pg. 292). I recently sold these levers (but have since returned) to someone with a 1966 Muncie 4-speed w/3884685 side cover and the levers would not fit because the slots in each lever (about 5/8" long) were two small for his 1966 Muncie transmission. Has anyone ever hear of another set of levers used on the 1966 Corvette Muncie 4-speed that use a larger slot (about 3/4" long, skeleton key hole shaped)?

I know that the 1969 and newer Muncies use the levers with the larger slot (3/4" long, skeleton key hole shaped).

[William C.]

Re: 1965-1967 Muncie 4-speed levers

You are correct, the other guy had a later side cover, if not the entire trans, and didn't know it. I bet his were held on with a bolt thru the center rather than a stud, 69 up style.

[David L.]

Re: 1965-1967 Muncie 4-speed levers

Bill,
Thanks for the confirmation.
Dave

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1965-1967 Muncie 4-speed levers

Just to add some visual to what Bill C. has said. Lever on left is '65-7 type (with slot geometry good for '64-8, IMO). On the right is a Hurst lever, but still has the slot geometry to fit the new (in 1969) shifter shaft assembly. Note the threaded hole instead of threaded stud in previous years. The side cover is a one-year '69-only #3950306.

The shaft dimensions differ as follows (my caliper measures): both have the same width (0.32") but the '69-up shaft ends are cut on a 3/4" circle pattern, whereas the '64-8 are cut on a 1/2" circle. The '69-up is then drilled to accept a 3/8" coarse thread bolt. So the '65-7 levers will not fit on the '69-up shaft, but the reverse is possible, except they will slide up or down because of the 1/4" difference in slot length.

Now here's what the 1969 Chevrolet New Product manual has to say: "The inner levers will be made of sintered iron in comparison to the presently used cast iron type. The shaft holes in the cover are .002 inches larger to provide clearance for the new shafts. Service will be affected in that the present [ie. pre-'69] shifter shaft assy. could be used with the new cover (the '306'); however, the new shafts could not be used with the present [pre-'69] cover."

There is so much of Muncie that is mix-and-match, but this is an exception.