68 Camaro 4-speed Saginaw tranny

[kdroy]

I'm new to this forum, so I hope I'm posting this in the correct spot.
I just bought a 68 Camaro convert, 327, 4-barrel, 4-speed, 12-bolt rear-end.
I discovered your website & it contains a wealth of info.
It looks like my car has the correct engine/manifold, rear-end, but maybe not the tranny.
My tranny is a 4-peed Saginaw with a cast number of 3925656.
The date code is R3S02. Is this from a 1973 built on Nov 02?
Since my car was made in the 2nd week of May-1968, what would be the correct date code.
According to the CRG forum, should it be R8???, where ??? is A-F (Jan-May)?
If so, does anyone have one for sale, & would anyone like to by mine. It works great!
Ken
St Paul, MN

[Everett#2390]

Apparently, the VIN does not match either?

[kdroy]

The engine VIN has the same numbers as the car VIN.
Does the tranny have a VIN on it??

[bertfam]

Welcome to the site Ken. Nice to have another 68 onboard.

Yes, you have a Muncie built Saginaw 4 speed transmission dated November 2nd, 1972, and installed in a 1973 Nova, Chevelle or Camaro. The PARTIAL VIN will tell you exactly which one.

Ed

[kdroy]

Thanks for the info, Ed.
Since I'm in MN, & my car's in storage, I won't be able to check the tranny VIN till then.
When I do, I'll get back to you.
If you hear of someone with correct tranny for my 68, let me know.
Ken Roy

[kdroy]

Ed..(or anyone)
Before I stored my 68 Camaro last fall, I wrote down a lot of numbers.
The number 18235286 was also on my tranny.
Is that the VIN? If so, does that tell me what car it came out of??
Ken

[KurtS]

The date code is R3S02. Is this from a 1973 built on Nov 02?
The number 18235286 was also on my tranny.
Is that the VIN? If so, does that tell me what car it came out of??
Ken

None of your #'s look correct. I'd guess it's R8S02 and 18N35286x. 68 Camaro if I'm right.

[kdroy]

Thanks Kurt.
If the date code was R8S02 (instead of R3S02, maybe the 8 looked like a 3)
& the VIN# was 18N35286x, would that be the correct tranny for my 68 Camaro built 2nd week of May?
Is there a place on the website to check tranny VIN numbers???
Ken

[bertfam]

If your car was built 05B (second week of May, 1968), then a November 2nd, 1967 transmission would be way too early for it to be the original. The VIN Kurt posted (18N35286x) would be a early November, 1967 build and wouldn't be your car. What is your VIN?

Ed

[kdroy]

Ed
The car was built 05B, 2nd week of May.
Car VIN = 124678N432264
Engine VIN  =  18N432264
What tranny do you think should be in it??
I just ran across one for sale with a date code= R8D02.
Is there a place on the website to check tranny VIN numbers???

Ken

[bertfam]

Ken, D02 (April 2nd), a little too early for your car, but if the price is right, grab it. You can always continue looking for one closer to your build date. You should be looking for a early May transmission.

No, there's no where online to check transmission VIN's as far as I know.

Ed

[kdroy]

The guy wants $750 for the Apr 02 tranny.
Since I'm new to Camaros, is that a fair price??

[69Z28-RS]

Personally, I'd consider the tranny date not very important; the VIN is what is important for you.   Unless you have the *original one* with your VIN, the date doesn't matter.   Just find the best deal on the tranny you want to install..  forget date..  IMO...   and if you are going to pep the engine, or drive it hard, I'd suggest going with a Muncie rather than the Saginaw...  which are not known for their strength.

[bertfam]

The guy wants $750 for the Apr 02 tranny. Since I'm new to Camaros, is that a fair price??

NO! $750 for a Saginaw 4 speed is WAY too expesive in my opinion, unless it's been rebuilt, and even then I still think it's too much. In my area they usually sell for $250 or so, around $500 if rebuilt. NO ONE wants them, so they're fairly cheap. Stick with what you have and keep shopping.

Ed

[bcmiller]

I agree with Ed.  $750 for a Saginaw is WAY too high.  Normally they are $200 or less around here and if rebuilt and nice maybe $400.