I'd like to upgrade a daily driver '66 Belvedere (SL6-225) from a non-syncro 3 spd manual tranny to a fully-synchronized 3 speed manual tranny. Is this a straightforward swap?

I'm not interested in going the 4 speed route since this is just a car and not a rocket ship. (obviously)

From what I've been able to read here and elsewhere, the likely candidate for this swap would be the A230 Tranny. Also, it appears that the bellhousings are the same, is that right?

Also, what about the motor mount, crossmember, driveshaft and shifter linkage?

Currently, my A903 is a 23 spline input shaft and 26 spline output shaft and the trans case is the longer one which measures approx. 23.5" from front flange to rear flange.

I'm assuming that I should find a B/C/E body A230. Is that correct?

Any info on this swap very much appreciated. The next step will be finding the tranny.

Anyone know if the A230 synchro 3 spd will work in a mid sixties B body /6 ? I do understand that the bell housings are the same.

There are a couple of ways to attack this:

1) straight swap in would be an A-230 from a 1970-1974 B/E body
(this might be hard as most 'base' vehicles got these ripped out in favor
of the V-8 and 4 speed), these show up on /6, small block, and 383-speed cars

2) You might see if any trucks got the A-230 (I think they got the A390 which is not the same).

3) Option 3 would be a bit masochistic, but I'm not sure about compatibility as I've never done it with a 3 speed, you can get an A-230 out of a 1970-1974 A-body...and if the main shaft and tail housing is compatible with the A-230, you can swap the gears onto your mainshaft then use the A-body case with you old tail shaft... that should retain your B-body tranny size and keep the synchro gearing...but I've never done a 3 speed franken tranny...

-D.Idiot

Many thanks to D.Idiot, javascript:emoticon(':roll:')

The straight swap sounds the most appealing if I can find the B body A230. I also like the novel idea of having a Franken-tranny in there. It would certainly make for interesting conversation.

Thanks again.

JF