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


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CraigA Offline OP
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I didn't find anything about this hence the question.
If I'm just puttering around I go 35-40 mph.
If I'm going somewhere with a purpose the engine, to me, sounds right at 45 mph.
How about you?

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There has been considerable discussion on the speed that folks drive their 1931-1932 Chevrolets. Most consider that 45 mph is a comfortable cruising speed without straining the engine. If I am in modern traffic or need to get somewhere I drive my '31 at ~ 55 mph. Yes, 55 mph for extended periods of time. No I don't have the 3.50 replacement ring/pinion gears. Just the stock 4.10 ratio. It makes a little noise and vibrates a bit but what do you expect for an unbalanced crankshaft. Now the '32 and up not only have a counterbalanced crankshaft but also rubber engine/transmission mounts. 55 mph is a lot smoother on them.

Now that the gauntlet is down, let the fun begin.


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sounds about right to me. My motor has a knock because it was not rebuilt correctly by the PO and checking the shims has not fixed the knock so I am rebuilding another motor to go in while I keep driving this one but it has great compression and power, easily taking me up to 50+ but I won't even go over 40 now. I just took a customer's car up to 50 to check it all over and it went nice and smooth down the road but the sound basically tells you 50 is too fast. Plus, these old chevys are not a pressure fed oil system but a dipper system and high RPMs are not good for them. I'm sure JYD or Chipper can post more info about speeds. Some have changed differential gearing to allow higher cruising speeds with less RPM but those gears are no longer produced and hard to come by these days. You also have a 32' which is rubber mounted. 31' and earlier are rigid mounted and really not fun in high RPM.

Last edited by Chistech; 02/19/18 10:10 PM.
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CraigA Offline OP
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That was fast...... :) and thanks guys.
I had mine up to 55 briefly just because.
As mentioned, it didn't sound good for the engine versus the 235 in my '59 Chevy.
I don't think the 194 would have a stellar life expectancy running at 3K day in and day out....... stressed

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I have run at 55 a few times the longest distance being about 20 miles on the interstate. Takes a few minutes to get used to the sound and I wouldn't want to do it often but it went fine. Between 35-45 is a good cruising speed for me and probably better for the car.


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My 32 has the higher gears in the differential the previous owner installed and it runs just fine at 50-55 . I think the 4:10 gears a little slower would be better for the drive train.. This is just my opinion


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One thing that no one has mentioned is that the suspensions of these old Chevys are far inferior to modern cars in road handling. On most secondary roads here in New England, if you hit any divot at any speed at all, you come down going in a different direction than the one you went up in. I agree with Steve that 35-45 is about it.

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Also you have to keep stopping in mind , I was referring to the 50-55 on the interstate highway, go with the flow. Most roads around eastern Ohio is about 35.


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Interesting conversation !! just was talking about this not too long about in regards to my 1929

i was guessing about 35-45 is safe and sufficient!!


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I think with the 20" tires on the 29 your engine will not rev quite as much as those with the smaller tires. Not that I am suggesting it's a good reason to go that speed as noted from previous post stopping is more of a concern. Also I agree with Goffe that 35-45 is best on secondary roads though my 32 handles most divots much better that I expected but two hand driving is an absolute must.


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The 1929 has a 3.82 rear end so engine speeds are slower.

The main thing that dictates crusing speed in the condition of the engine. and how accurate the speedometer is.

Last edited by Chev Nut; 02/19/18 03:12 PM.

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Hi Guys,
I have had my 29 Phaeton up to 90 Kph,(yep, I have a kilo speedo) about 55mph, but she does not sound or feel quite happy at that speed.
So, I agree, about 45 mph sounds and feels about right.
My Chevy is stock ,except for MGB shocks all round, which might be sacrilege but certainly makes for a much better and possibly safer ride.


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Chris
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I fully agree with the 35-45 mph limit. Grandpa always said 40 was the max but I wouldn't be surprised if he had pushed it a time or two.


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Originally Posted by m006840
Not that I am suggesting it's a good reason to go that speed as noted from previous post stopping is more of a concern. Also I agree with Goffe that 35-45 is best on secondary roads though my 32 handles most divots much better that I expected but two hand driving is an absolute must.

I was quite surprised when I first started driving my 31' around how well it handled bumps and even big bumps/railroad crossings, etc.. My first reaction when I missed seeing a big hole until the last second was a big grimace thinking it was not going to be good. We went right over that hole pretty easily with no problems. A big difference in driving/braking is having good king pins and your alignment correct. Since I put new pins in and aligned my car, it drives completely different where before, long sweeping corners over 35-40 were a two handed, white knuckle adventure, and now the car just holds the line and goes right around the sweep and at higher speeds without lack of confidence. I also used the brake gauge and fully adjusted all brakes in my car. Once I get the motor changed out it will basically be perfect for driving. The motor I'm building will have a balanced bottom end for better drivability also.

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I just realized I jumped a pay grade to "chat master 1500!" Wow, I post too much.

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Just as a different reference, I am the one with the 32 Racer. It weighs just over 2,000 lbs, (A pix in the pix section) and I took two leafs out of each spring. It is an all stock drive train. It cruises nice at 55, but that puts the rpm too high for the dip cup system, so I keep closer to 50 on the road.

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I was always thrilled my '32 was moving in a forward direction under its own power, any any speed. Nice to hear these cars can scream along at 55 if needed though. With new brakes and spring shackles I may just push the envelope this year, maybe see what happens on the interstate for a few miles, put on my full face helmet and go berserk !! carbana


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my '30 could cruise all day with the 4:11 (straight and level, ha ) at 35/40 (top end was 58 with some left) but now it feels about the same at 50/55 with the 3.5 installed. but more important to me is the low end. first gear has been tamed. so much better for city driving. less like a tractor and more like a truck; a marked improvement, i'd say. jim


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Hi Jim,
Where did the 3.5 diff come from? Is it a new set from a vendor or is it from a different model Chevy?
Regards
Chris

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The 3.5 ring and pinion gears were made for many years by Larry Jackson in California. They have been advertised many times in the past in the VCCA's magazine, the Generator & Distributor. We have also talked about Larry Jackson's gears numerous times here on Chevy Chatter as well. Unfortunately, Larry quit making the gears several years ago and they are no longer available.

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TKS JD,
Much appreciated.
Was hoping it came from a later model.

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Just a safety reminder: Our cars have mechanical brakes designed to stop them at the speeds they were designed for. While the braking system is super (and far, far better than the Model A F**d system), it does have its limitations. While I'd love to be driving one of my old Chevys out on the interstate and keeping up with traffic, I'm not convinced it's a prudent thing to do. We have fairly primitive suspension systems, skinny tires, and very basic brakes. I'll stick with the original rear end ratio and keep it down to about 40-45 mph. I'll save the "hustle" for my modern cars. See you on the side roads!

All the Best, Chip


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iagree

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chris, as jyard d says: the gears were made by l.j. but no more. i spoke with larry to see if he had any stashed away in a dark corner or forgotten shelf. no dice. i did some intense research (over two years) and found no one, no where, making any more. i submitted a want ad on our board here, i then put a want ad in our "tappet & clatter" for same. later i put a want ad in the g & d. i got a call from a fellow clubbie in texas who had a "new" complete larry jackson gear set (only '30 , '31 and '32 will do) with gaskets and hardware that he had not installed and he sent the pkg off to me. i think the cost was $550. larry's last price was $1000. as i have chatted this up in this forum so you might want to do a search for a nugget of useful information. so, chris, i think your best bet is the g & d. i absolutely love these gears and i wish you good hunting. jim

Last edited by dblclh; 02/21/18 06:56 PM. Reason: added " '32 "

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