Re: M-22 Transmission question....

Yup.

Isn't this the Tranny that was lovingly referred to as the "Rock Crusher"?

Yes, had one in my 68 GTO. Sounds normal for winter. He should let it run a bit to warm up before he puts it in gear. These days, I'm kind of partial to the Lucus brand of Synthetics for gear oils.

Yes, but if so, it's certainly not likely the original tranny. There were only 15 installed in '66 (and I would wager they went into racing Corvettes). For every year they were offered, they were always a super-low quantity factory installed item.

Additionally, the OP only mentioned grinding when starting cold - as I understand the M-22, it was noisy all the time, all temps, all weather, all day, all driving conditions... I also seem to recall reading that Chevy discouraged dealers from selling the trans to customers due to the noise - didn't want customers who couldn't live with the characteristics

- maybe was even a COPO (?) item (special order/approval only). Twern't called "rock crusher" fer nothin'. (BTW, "Rock Crusher" was the actual name Chevrolet used for the tranny).

Here's waving to ya - \||||

Owen ___

'67BB & '72BB ___

"To know the world intimately is the beginning of caring." -- Ann Hayman Zwinger

Knew a guy who had that trans in a '70 454 Chevelle SS. The thing absolutely howled. I liked hearing it on the street as he'd go through the gears up or down, but live with it every day? I dunno, but I guess it's nice to know you can miss a shift and not end up with a whole lot of neutral.

AJM '93 Ruby coupe, 6 sp

Yes, but if so, it's certainly not likely the original tranny. There were only 15 installed in '66 (and I would wager they went into racing Corvettes). For every year they were offered, they were always a super-low quantity factory installed item.

Additionally, the OP only mentioned grinding when starting cold - as I understand the M-22, it was noisy all the time, all temps, all weather, all day, all driving conditions... I also seem to recall reading that Chevy discouraged dealers from selling the trans to customers due to the noise - didn't want customers who couldn't live with the characteristics

- maybe was even a COPO (?) item (special order/approval only). Twern't called "rock crusher" fer nothin'. (BTW, "Rock Crusher" was the actual name Chevrolet used for the tranny).

Owen ___

'67BB & '72BB ___

"To know the world intimately is the beginning of caring." -- Ann Hayman Zwinger

Yep, my neighbors used to tell me what time I got home at night. Between the built engine in my GTO and the Rock Crusher, their walls would vibrate when I pulled in. It was always a kick on the weekends, as soon as I'd lift the hood to start working on it, all the grown men would venture over to see what I was putting in that week. While they'd yell at me to slow down when they were with their wives, they all loved that car. For clarification, I never sped through neighborhoods, but as loud as it was, people always thought it was going faster than it was.

rent the video Two Lane Blacktop with James Taylor and Dennis Wilson. The '55 Chevy had a truly built 427 and a real Rock Crusher M22 tranny. The in-car shots are noisy from the howl of the transmission, which most probably think is a blower, however, there was no blower on the car.

almost everyone has a "Rocker Crusher" in their Corvettes, even those with the Borg Warner "rock crusher". Odds are he has the M20.

He could get grinding when trying to engage cold because the thick oil will turn the gears enough to make things grind not to mention the synchros are not slipping like they should to engage.