65 Muncie side cover

[Blake W.]

In checking stampings/dates on my M20 muncie I have realized that the side cover ( which should be 3831707 ) is not correct. What I would like to know is if the cover will come off the case and clear the exhaust pipe ( 2 1/2")? Or does the pipe need to come off? would like it to be as painless as possible. What about shift linkage, is it a remove/replace without the need to readjust anything? Anybody done this and what should I look for in respect to hidden "traps"?

thanks. Blake

[William C.]

Re: 65 Muncie side cover

Pipe off will make it a lot easier. Linkage adjustment should not be affected if you already have the '65 style shift arms. What sidecover do you have on it now?

[Blake W.]

Re: 65 Muncie side cover

Not exactly sure about the current cover. didn't write the number down. Was told by a friend that looked at it a few months ago that it was a later cover (maybe '68 or so). does have a plug in the side cover. reguarding the '65 shift arms; I don't know one from another, so can't say.

Thanks for the reply

[Bob R.]

Re: 65 Muncie side cover

I suspect the shifter arms will work correctly on the new cover however a shifter linkage adjustment may have to be made. Its not that difficult to do but the shifter adjustments must be pretty accurate to get the shifter to work smooth. You could install the new cover and see how the shifter works. If you have a problem with the shifter then adjust it.

[William C.]

Re: 65 Muncie side cover

Shift arms will interchange as long as the current cover is not a 69-up style with the bolt going thru the arm, rather than using a stud mount. All the early style stud mounted versions will interchange. If you don't have a 707 cover send me a PM, I may be able to help.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 65 Muncie side cover

.... does have a plug in the side cover .....

Your mention of plug on the sidecover --- could it be a threaded plug that replaces the 3-4 shift switch shown on these ? Maybe it's the one on the top in the pic, cover #3952648 ('70 thru '74 Muncies).

The cover in the foreground is a weird one, only a 6-digit part # and provision for switches on both the 1-2 and 3-4 shift lever.

See this link to previous discussion on sidecovers, where pics of above are shown in my post #5 of this thread.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?t=59969&uid=8500

[Blake W.]

Re: 65 Muncie side cover

Yep, that's the cover that is on the car. I just ventured under the car, made a note of numbers, took pics and yes the side cover read (last digits ...52648) Case was 3851325 Vin stamped correctly and date of P0220. Shift arms held with nuts. Correct ones?? Why someone changed the cover out I do not know. Doubt they get damaged. Probably wanted a drain plug. So, based on this info will the 707 cover swap out without much drama??

[William C.]

Re: 65 Muncie side cover

707 will swap, just get a bare cover, install new seals on the shafts (easy) and swap the parts from your present cover. You will be good to go.

[John H.]

Re: 65 Muncie side cover

Blake -

You'll need to suck out a bunch of gear lube through the fill plug hole first, as the bottom edge of the hole in the case for the side cover (and the bolt holes below it) are all below the lube level. Put the transmission in second gear before you remove the side cover - otherwise the 1-2 shift fork will hang up on the edge of the hole.

[Blake W.]

Re: 65 Muncie side cover

Thank you John, 2 additional questions I have: (1) inside the cover there is a scissor mechanism. does this need to line up with something internal so the cover will fit flush with the case? (2) Can I just remove the shifter arms from the 2 studs and replace the same so as to avoid any linkage adjustments? I've never had one of these apart; are the studs indexed or notched some way so the shift arms fit only one way? Right now the car shifts just perfect. Would like to keep it that way.