Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks



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#186836 10/22/10 12:15 PM
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Grease Monkey
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Is there a modern overdrive transmission that can be installed between the bell housing and the housing for the speedometer gear and u-joint, allowing space for necessary adapter plates.

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You can go one better...and that is to purchase a set of 3.50 ring and pinion gears for the rear end. With that installation you won't need an overdrive and you can cruise easily at 60 to 65 MPH. A speedometer adapter is also available with the set of 3.50 gears.

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The Mangy Old Mutt

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Thank you Junkyard Dog. While the 3.50 ring gear gives me better top end it hurts low end performance. It also doesn't cure a old and tired transmission. I would still like to find a replacement transmission.

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While the 3.50 gears won't help a worn out transmission (you can rebuild that to like new), the test results of the gear set prove that the effect to low end performance overall is almost negligible.

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Some have replaced the original transmissions with and overdrive unit out of the S-10. If I remember correctly they use the older model S-10s as the more modern require more modification. You might check Chevytalk or inliners websites as they focus more on modifications than this one does.


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Confederatebob, I did almost the exact thing that Junkyard is suggesting. I put 3.55 gears from a '51 Chevy powerglide car into my '36 pickup. Changing the gearing does affect hill climbing ability, does reduce interior noise and does allow faster cruising.

However, there is no free lunch. What you gain in one aspect of performance you lose in another.

I would suggest that you look at a Borg Warner T-5 transmission from a Chevy S-10 or Astrovan. The trans could be mated to your block using an adaptor plate. The tailshaft and tailhousing could possibly be modified to accept your torque tube or a new tail housing fabricated from a billet. Some shortening of the torque tube and driveshaft may be required as I did on my 3.55 conversion that used a '37 Chevy car rear axle assembly. I did that project in my home shop so don't assume that it can't be done by a motivated amateur.

One of the aftermarket suppliers is modifying Sagnaw 4-speed transmissions (non-overdrive) to be compatible with torque tube drive so that approach definitely has potential for you.

I bring a street rodders attitude to this hobby. You can adapt any part to any car if you're willing to use some ingenuity and do some work. You could even put electronic fuel injection on that '32 if you put your mind to it. Don't give up!

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I'd have to agree that if you want to do some modification, i would do so to the 3'rd member. And that is in changing the ring and pinion. Not the entire 3'rd member.

Larry Jackson in Santa Maria California has been putting out custom made 350 gears for the 1932 chevy ONLY. The only trouble is, is that orders are taken in certain parts of the year as Larry has told me when i talked to him personally. And these gears arnt exactly a free lunch. In exess of $900 when it's all said and done PLUS shipping. But from what i gather, these gears are well worth it if you have the extra 9 or so to shead. and a plus is that these gears are made RIGHT HERE in the U.S.A. so you know your getting a good well made and heat treated product.

This gear set up still allows for good hill climbing ability's in low and reasonable cruising speeds in high. And he has told me we are talking about 55 to 60 MPH without any problem and high engine speed as like what you get with the factory stock 410.

I can message you the contact info for Larry if you wish. I wont post this info in plain view becouse im not sure if this place is sheilded from non registered preditors or not. (SCAMMERS)

Myself, i've considered the 350 gear set but as of right now i just simply cant afford it. Maybee later perhaps.

Im all for originality but when you can HELP the vehicle WITHOUT any durastic change or external customization then, why not?

Last edited by OilSpot; 10/23/10 11:59 AM.

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brino #186946 10/23/10 08:01 PM
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If its hot rod advise your looking for then I don't think you will find much on this site. The VCCA is a "restoration" and "preservation" club and that is the type of information you will find here. There are many good "rod" sites and some fantastic things that are being done to older vehicles and also much of it by the oem's. The technology of today has created some great opportunities for retrofitting some of the classic designed cars of the past and allowing car enthusiast of today to use their talents to do so.However that is not what this site is about, but please do use the for sale forum when you remove those unwanted stock parts.


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Quote
Larry Jackson in Santa Maria California has been putting out custom made 350 gears for the 1932 chevy ONLY


The gears from Larry Jackson fit 1930 thru 1932. They are not for 1932 only.

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Confederatebob-This subject about Larry Jackson`s 3.50 ring and pinion gears has been tossed around many times on this site and everyone (incl. myself) who has purchased and installed them has had nothing but favorable comments. The only peroblem you may run into is they may not be available when you want them. Give him a call 805-441-2627 he lives in Santa Maria, Ca.

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Im only going by what Mr. Jackson told me...


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I have known Larry Jackson for years and years and he is an extremely knowledgeable dude. I'm sure that there was a miss-communication because he knows that his 3.50 gears fit 1930 thru 1932.....just like the application shown in the 1929-32 Chevrolet parts book. Also, he mentioned to me years ago that he made the gear sets because it was a three year application instead of one year application only.

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Hoppy,
I know at least two people that have installed the 3.50 gears that are not completely favorable. In relatively flat land they are great but in hilly or mountainous areas second and first gear get used more than with the original 4.10 ratio. That is what Larry Jackson will tell you. It depends on where you live and drive if that is a problem or not.



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Probably a laps moment. Happens all the time.


In my shop, quality is a standard, NOT and option.

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