Thanks everyone.
I am building a 1938 Suburban with a 261 and Power Glide. I am trying to do the math to find an appropriate gear ratio for all purpose use. I was shooting for 3.08 because try-five passenger cars with 235 and Power Glide came with 3.08 as the standard ratio. I figured if it was good for them, it would be good for me. I was thinking that I should keep my RPM to around 2200.
It's good to know that I can safely run at a higher engine speed. It increases the rear axle choices. There is a 3.42 axle out there that would give me 62 mph at about 2500 RPM or 69 mph at about 2800. That is starting to sound reasonable to me.
Thanks again.
Mike
