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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!
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| | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,154 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,154 | The Novak rebuilt SM420 is in and working great! Bolted right up to the bell housing on our 235 1957 engine. The only real change was to move the exhaust pipe over a bit and a new driveline with a new slip yoke was needed. The driveline was done by Driveline shop in Sacramento. The old driveline for the BW R-10 was too short. The shifter cane is located perfectly with plenty of room and is at the correct height. At 2500 rpm we are a bit over 55 mph that's plenty for a truck with drum brakes. Stomp starter fit right in no modifications. The area once occupied by the old tranny is clean without all the monkey motion rods that the PO had attached to a floor converter shifter. So it's been a good choice for me and maybe somebody else out there. Thanks to Bill and Bartamos for their X-tra help! Steve | | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,839 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,839 | What size gears are you running in back? 411?
Craig My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear My truck ....... Respect The Rust If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,154 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,154 | Wish I knew...at 2500 rpm 55mph....never touched the rear end but it did come out of a 56/57 vehicle along with the 235 and the Borg Warner R-10 transmission. It has 10 bolts on the cover if that helps? If you find out let me know.😄 | | | | | Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 693 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 693 | My 56 turned about 2600 rpm at 55 mph with the stock 3.90 gears. +/- 100 rpm can easily be explained by differences in tire size. The cover also has 10 bolts. So 3.90:1 is my guess  i have the 3.38 set in now and my rpms have dropped 300-400 @ 55 mph | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,154 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,154 | Thanks...I been wanting to get a set of Patrick's gears that should drop my rpms I don't know by how much but I'll give Patrick's a shout out. Seems like a lot of work so I'll stick with more life in the slow lane for now. Besides with a chrome 54 grill....you don't get home with bodacious chrome....everybody wants to tell you that they had a truck just like that and they wish they kept it making you late for home because of chrome! | | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,839 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,839 | I have Patrick's 3:55 gears in back and run 2200rpm at 55mph. This is with a dialed in speedometer that reflects 215/85R16 tires.
Craig My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear My truck ....... Respect The Rust If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,154 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,154 | 3:38:1...,is what I would like to install with my 15" tires. I was told they came on hydramatics....I'm talking to a shop right now about a change of ring and pinion. I'll post what I find out. | | |
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