The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Newbie w/ Questions 1965 C10

Been lurking forever.........Just bought a '65 C10 LB with what I am told is a 292 bolted to a 4 speed manual tranny. The truck had poor tires so I just drove it around the farmyard. Not positive on the 292 as I couldn't make out any casting #'s, but it runs like a top so it was not a major concern. Big Question - What is the likely rear-end in this truck? I know - I know - I have been searching the archives but can't find what the options were for this truck. As I am going to daily drive / restore her - what can I expect to be the highway speed - am I going to get run over at 55?
The Fun Begins..........

By the way, I haven't picked up the truck yet.......be late next week.

Easy way to check if it's a 292.. the motor mounts are offset, that is not even on both sides of the block. One side is farther back than the other, I think it's the passenger side that's back farther. Sorry can't help you on the rear-end... except suggest you lift the back tires off and count the rotation of the driveshaft compared to the wheels.

IIRC, '65 half tons came with a 3.73, with a 4.11 and a 3.07 optional, and the 4.11 and 3.73 could also be had as positraction units.

1st gear in your tranny is granny gear and 4th is direct drive (1:1). My truck has a 3 speed and a 3.73 rear in it. It does 55 easy and can maintain 65 on the interstate although it gets rather loud in the cab from the 250 roaring. Any faster than that and you're beginning to push the engine.

With a 4.10 and 235/85x16 tires(31" tread height) I could run at 60mph all day without straining my engine, but I like 50 - 55 better. The Acuras can go around me; I remember the parable of the hare and the tortoise. On the road I use 2 - 3 - 4, and save first gear for when I'm crawling up a boat ramp or something, to keep from slipping the clutch. If I wanted to run faster I'd get a transmission with an overdrive.