VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Overdrive, or a lower ratio rear end?

I’m the one with the 32 Chevy Racer. The engine and rear end are completely stock. On the hiway I keep it below 3500 rpm to save the rod bearings. About 50 - 55 mph. Now it only weighs 2100lbs. What are my options to lower the rpm for a higher speed? Overdrive unit, or different rear gear set? Availability, practicality, price.
Thanks for your thoughts, Norm

50 to 55 MPH with the stock1932 4.1 rearend is about 2500-2600 RPM ...3500 RPM would be 70MPH and on a 1932 good bey rods.
An overdrive would reduce engine speed the most.

A higher gear set would be the way to go. A 3.5 gear set was available for several decades for 1932 by Larry Jackson. However he is no longer making the gear sets so they are no longer available.

I would consider purchasing a halibrand quick change rear end and getting the right width. They are available brand new and used. Easily convert the mounting to the springs on the rear like a stock one. But you would want to convert it to open drive with exposed driveshaft.

Take the cover off the rear and flip the gears to get a different ratio. Converting the rear end to mechanical brakes is another obstacle to overcome.

mike lynch

OK,
1. Are there any of these Larry Jackson gears out there. Expected Cost?
2. Is there an overdrive add-on available? If so, a name or source? In my best imagination, it would be a replacement for the free wheeling unit.
Regards

Probably not. A lot of guys are looking for those gear sets since they haven't been available for a long time. I believe that when the gear sets were available Larry was selling them for around $1,100 each.

A Mitchell overdrive wold be nice, but you would have to figure out the machine work and installation yourself (they only support the toque tube unit on certain Fords).

There is also the former Lloyd Young Overdrive (borg warner conversion). Lloyd has passed on, but his machinist Glen has taken over, so these conversions can still be done. Popular in the Buick crowd.

http://forums.aaca.org/topic/304816...?page=5&tab=comments#comment-1749725

Or, you could go to GearVendors.

I spoke with Larry Jackson about a year ago. He said he wasn't making any more gears.

Try an advert in HEMMINGS MOTOR NEWS appropriate section ,??? , " WANTED , BLAH BLAH , CALL ME COLLECT IF YOU HAVE ONE " paying XXXXX $.

mike

Junkyard Dog, I wonder if my tack and or speedometer is reading wrong? At 3,000 rpm my speedometer is showing 53 mph. The original car was just a coupe. The speedometer is stock 32 Chevy. The tach is electronic, I think for a diesel because I selected it because it tops out at 4,000 rpm.
Thanks