The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 51 five window project

I am in the planning stages of starting a full ground up restoration of a 1951 3100 deluxe cab. My goal with this project is to make a dependable and safe daily driver that remains as stock as possible. Currently the truck has a 216 in it but I have a 3/4 ton parts truck with a 235 that I will be using. I have researched heavily what to do about the 4.11.1 gearing in my rear end. The patrick's kit seems to be the best option to me. The only thing that I am concerned about is that it will make the standard three speed very "gappy" and therfore not very fun to drive. It seems that with the taller gearing it would be about like climbing a moutain and then falling off every time I have to shift. Is this as extreme as I think it would be? Thanks for any help!

Once rolling there should be no difference in the shifting patterns. It is the overall gearing that changes, not the individual speeds. I think these trucks have enough torque for the change even with the 3 speed. I am about to do it myself.

I am also planning on doing some of the old hot rodders tricks with the motor like fenton headers, mallory dual point distributor, dual carbs, and such, so I guess you could be right. I was reading somewhere that the old three on the tree used to jam alot even when new. Has anyone had any experience with this?

Nothing wrong with that 3-speed that making sure the shift linkage is decent won't cure.

(Hey, how's that for syntax?)

Chevy 3-speeds have been in zillions of cars, trucks, etc. make sure the two little steel actuator gizmos inside the tranny aren't worn - just pull the side plate and look; and then tighten up or replace the shift linkage.

On the 235, have you verified that it's a pressure oiler? There are 235 babbit motors out there.

LBNL, with a good 235 there's nothing wrong with 4.11 gears; it'll pull better.

Cheers!
George

My '49 had the closed driveshaft 4.11 which disintegrated one day on the way to work. I removed the closed driveshaft and differential and installed a '57 differential in it's place. I kept the '49 axle, the '57 3.90 plugs right in. I then installed a '62 3 sp+od, found a driveshaft, had it shortened and now drive anywhere at 65-70 mph @ 2100 rpms (.70 od X 3.90 rear= 2.73 final drive, 215 85R 16's).

I don't drive it like it's a sport car and with my stock suspension and tall tires I'm tall in the saddle and can see over the little cars in front of me so I feel I'm a better driver due to my increased visibility.

Yes I know there are some of the babbit 235s out there. I just doubt someone would have replaced their 216 with one. I will check the serial numbers the first chance I get. Thanks for the reminder!