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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,756 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,756 | Figures don't add up. Like the Joker says.your rear end ratio is wrong or the tach is set for a 4 cyl truck. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 3 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 3 | I Have a57 Chev Pick up with a327 Engine with a350 Outo Trans what Gear Ratio Rear End do I need | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | DE, you "need" a ratio that'll do the job you want to do, you'll never get great gas mileage pushing that brick around with a 327 .... the standard '57 had a 3.90 rear, not bad for general driving, you can haul a load with it - if you're more into highway driving and never use it as a truck, maybe look into Patricks 3.55 rear gear set, or change to a 700R4 to gain overdrive
Bill | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | my opinion...700R4 since you already have open driveline.....I ended up putting the 700 in both my vehicles after trying the 350 tranny.
.....and maybe a rearend from a Malibu, Monte Carlo, some olds and others. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,897 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,897 | You don't mention the size of the truck... 1/2 ton? 3/4 ton? Etc.
Gears depend on tire size and type of driving. Fill in some blanks for us about howmyou will be using your truck, tire size, and how your 327 is built, and we can give you a better answer than a wild guess.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 269 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 269 | Hey everyone,
When I fist started to put my tuck together, my intentions was to make it a highway driving truck. With a little home work, a bit of luck, and some kindness of others I'll have it all together soon enough.
If you all don't mind, can ya look over my specs give me a once over?
'39 1/2 ton truck
'54 235 w/single barrel
NWC T5
3:25 rear end (Currie 9")
26" diameter tires (P255/60R15)
Bread
. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 |
Last edited by Achipmunk; 10/27/2014 1:43 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | Hey everyone,
When I fist started to put my tuck together, my intentions was to make it a highway driving truck. With a little home work, a bit of luck, and some kindness of others I'll have it all together soon enough.
If you all don't mind, can ya look over my specs give me a once over?
'39 1/2 ton truck
'54 235 w/single barrel
NWC T5
3:25 rear end (Currie 9")
26" diameter tires (P255/60R15)
Bread
. Bread, what is the OD ratio in your T-5? Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 324 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 324 | 51 Chevy pickup, 273 gears (70 olds rear)mustang II front, 700r4 & 4.3v6 TBI
consistently get 22 to 23 mpg, runs 2400 to 2600 rpms at 60 mph (depending on the lie of the land)
lots of power to cruise. Very happy with this set up. Kept everything else stock. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 | 51 Chevy pickup, 273 gears (70 olds rear)mustang II front, 700r4 & 4.3v6 TBI
consistently get 22 to 23 mpg, runs 2400 to 2600 rpms at 60 mph (depending on the lie of the land)
lots of power to cruise. Very happy with this set up. Kept everything else stock. Since I can all but guarantee you're not running 18" diameter tires something there is wrong. There is no way you would be running 2400-2600 RPM at 60MPH with a 2.73 and 700R4 in overdrive. With that setup your 4.3 would lug like crazy at 60MPH. Something there is off. What's you actual gear ratio and tire size? With those parameters you would be running at most 1500RPM at 60MPH, assuming a 26" tire. | | |
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