trans case

[Tom P.]

Re: trans case

And a later P&A book which shows P for Passenger Muncie and N Truck Muncie.

[Joe L.]

Re: trans case

It is correct that the P coded transmissions (such as the Muncie for pass cars) were built at the Muncie plant. Put the Muncie 4sp transmission for cars had a P code, whereas the Muncie 4sp transmission with an N code was a truck transmission.
The Borg-Warner 4sp got a W for Warner gear, which also designated the T-10 as well as the B-W 3sp. You see the W on the T-10 cases----------------which were only used in passenger cars, which includes Corvettes.

Tom------


The term "passenger" is used in three contexts. In the first context it is used by Chevrolet to signify a passenger car EXCLUSIVE of a Corvette. This is the context used in P&A catalogs up to about 1964.

The second context is used by Chevrolet to signify a FULL SIZE passenger car (i.e. Impala, Biscayne, etc.), exclusive of Corvette, Camaro, Chevelle, etc. This context was used in P&A catalogs from about 1965.

The third context is any passenger car, INCLUDING Corvette, but exclusive of any truck. This is a more-or-less "generic" context. It is sometimes used in the general information section of P&A catalogs as well as service manuals and it is widely used in the vernacular.

In my previous post, I was using the term "passenger car" in the first of the above contexts.

As far as the "P" transmission coding goes, I do not think that the "P" is meant to be an abbreviation for "passenger". I believe it is a randomly assigned code for an aluminum 4 speed transmission manufactured only at the Muncie, IN transmission plant. In fact, although in your parts catalog excerpts the transmission is in one place identified as a "heavy duty" transmission, in most Chevrolet service information, it is identified as a "light duty" transmission. "Heavy Duty" 4 speed transmissions were those used in trucks.

It is true that, technically, the "P" represents the transmission type. However, the "P" coded transmissions were manufactured only at Muncie, IN. So, the code actually signifies BOTH a transmission type and manufacturing plant.

By the way, I was well aware that other prefix designations were used for transmissions manufactured at the Muncie, IN transmission plant. Also, for the 1978-79 model years the Muncie transmission plant produced a cast iron case 4 speed transmission used in Corvettes and other cars. That transmission was prefix-coded "ZU".