I need to know what year tranny is a direct bolt in swap on a 84 GSL-SE
same mounts, same driveshaft, same clutch.
I've read Felix's site, but never understand his cryptic stuff
will any 12A from 81-85 work?

Thanks!

 

Yes, any 5 speed from a 81-85 12A should work. I swapped the GSL-SE trans out of my 85 to a 5 speed from a 1985 with a 12A. The casing was a little different, but it's the same length, same wiring connections, same spot for speedometer cable. I think 5th gear is a different ratio too, a little higher then the GSL-SE tranny so it'll may give better pull in 5th gear.

gump

 

He's right, I put a trans out of a 82 in my -se. On the -se trans there is a clutch vent but not on the 12a ones.

 

Really? My GSL Tranny has a hole in the bell housing, just below the clutch. I can see the ring gear in there. Bout an inch or two across, right in the middle of the bottom.

 

I'm talking about a vent on the side of the trans, pretty sure they all have that hole on the bottom. I think the FC's have this same vent as the -SE's

 

I want to thank everyone for the info, the 83 Tranny went in last night, finnaly have a working 5 speed again!!!

Much thank goes to Paul Aber for the above and beyond the call of duty in swapping the trannys!

 

Max,
What'd you end up doing about the rust problem? did you ever find a new body to swap your driveline / other goodies into? Glad you got the new(er) tranny in!

--matt

 

Not really much about the rust, it's to far along for any real repairs. I'm just enjoying it while its still alive

I'm going monday to look at a possible replacement.
If I get it, I'll be the happiest person on the Forum.

 

Does this mean I'll get a ride in your car now?

Last week I was playing with my new MIG welder... made a patch panel, cut out the cancerous metal from my sunroof, zapped the patch in, Bondo'ed and painted it... voila, no more raining into the car! Day later I lost 2nd and 3rd gear syncros at the track - can NOT shift without double-clutching, or sounding quite ugly.

So, uh, instant car karma strikes again. Just a lil' warning to ya

- PJ (wwwaaaAAAAAAAAAA *CRUNCH* waAAAAAAAAaAA *CRUNCH* wwAAAAA.....)

 

Way to go Max and Paul....

Finished my Clutch work today....What a struggle by yourself. Next time I'll ask you guys to come down and help, then feed you bar-be-que. Anyway, ended up dismantling part of the console right up and above the heat/fan controls. Finally traced down the "no start" problem....I'm embarrassed to say, but had the fuel line in, and the fuel return line crossed up.....Whoa, boy, do I feel like a newbie/tenderfoot....Here I thought drinkin' and bathin' in MMO would help with my memory...What? Now I'm fairly certain that I've got a clogged cat...What?

Loving the challenge of blood, grease, and rust, I've purchased another SE, but to use as a parts car. Body is messy, but interior is real good, and the engine/drivetrain is whole and very workable. Thanx a lot Max, now my Son Jon wants to gut the GSL, and turn it into a drag/autocross vehicle....What?
Beginning to look like a very busy Winter, and to top it all off my Mother up in Hiram, Ohio wants to know when I'm gonna finish my inherited '73 Saab Sonnet.....What?

Dear Santa....I've been a good guy...Honest...
Need stuff...Good stuff...Please help....What?

Denny, from the abandoned corncrib...
Like my Steve Austin imitation? What?

:p

 

oh yah! lets hit a test -n- tune! I feel the need for speed, went to the AutoX today, man its been way to long! had a BLAST!
you got a spare tranny up there? I think I know where another one is possibly.

 

Don't worry Denny, we all have our days like that, always fun, ok maybe not, but when we look back it is, hehe
Another SE? jeesh! you need a bigger garage!!!
A drag car eh? I know where some PP Housings are
I'm going tommorow to look at a new GSL-SE for me
Hope I get it, although its not silver

 

Hell yeah man! I hit the Wednesday night brackets and the Friday nite test-n-tunes. Wednesday nite I have to run quiet (rules state no open headers) but Friday is play-time. Pop the cap off and make some NOISE! and lots and lots of tire smoke...

Yeah have a spare tranny, but it's from my '84 engine and has the remote shifter whereas the '80 trans has a forward-mounted enclosed shifter... I can't do the tailhousing swap because Felix says my tranny has the early-style shift rods. I believe him, and don't really feel like pulling the thing out just to tear it down and find out for sure. (Plus I cross-threaded the lower starter bolt... shame on me... once I pull the starter off it ain't going back on again!) I *am* looking into the possibility of just swapping in just the front housing of the transmission and the main shafts and gears, and using all of the '80 shift rails/midsection/tail housing.

Whew. Sucks having an SA sometimes. That which doesn't kill ya makes ya stronger tho... and since the synchros are shot in the '80 trans I might look into having the gears "pro-shifted". Bang them gears without the clutch!