The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Getting more top end out of a '46

I'm curious about how to bring a '46 up to more modern speeds.

I'd like to get a comfortable 65MPH out of it if I needed to.. everything i've read suggests the stock rear end gearing and 4 speed tranny with a 216 engine has a top speed in the 45 to 55 range.

I've seen some talk about a rear end "kit" but i'm not sure what kind of a PITA that would be.

Any ideas?

Fumblin46,

How much work are you up for? There is a ring and pinion swap available from almost all the vendors. Never set up a differential so I thought that was out of my league.

I went the t-5 transmission and open drive line conversion route.

I have written most of it up on my web site:

http://home.twcny.rr.com/schickling/1940Chevy/T5.html

http://home.twcny.rr.com/schickling/1940Chevy/rebuild5.html

Just one way to do it.

Bill Schickling

I've always thought I might like to go the t-5 route someday, but when I do that, i'll probably go full hog and upgrade the motor to a 261.

Dosen't the open driveline conversion with the t-5 require a rear end swap?

Almost seems like it would be easier to just find an s10 running chassis and swap bodies.. at least then you'd end up with power steering and better brakes.

F46,

It does require a rear end swap, but you only need to weld on new spring perches. I looked at an S-10 swap as another project. That seems like a lot of work too.

My someday plan is to pickup another 41-46 frame and do another with swapped rear, MII or Dakota and a small block or 4200 Inline 6...

But that is more than a few years off...