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where do i look on the rear end of a 1964 chevy 1/2 ton fleetside for the letters/numbers that tell the gear ratio? I have found these:3838227 GM6 :confused:

1964 Chevrolet Truck - Rear Axle Identification

My book says that it is stamped (not cast) on the forward side of the left axle tube near the carrier housing.

It should be a code that looks like:

WF 01 23

WF = 3.07:1 ratio (in 1964) - there are 9 different codes for the 1000 series (in 1964)
01 = January
23 = 23rd day of the month

Good luck, Tim

thanks tim, I was looking in the place that i found it on my 61 model. philip

Ok I found the numbers and letters and they are WA 11 04 and that means a 3.73.1 nov 4.
they seem to be a little low for the 350 with a th350 auto,maybe i need to get the next higher gear setup.have you guys tried anything diff for the gearing?
PS.is there a way for me to ckeck if it is really a 3.73.1 without taking the inspection cover off, ie;turning the wheel and count the driveshaft turns? the reason i ask is it has a crome cover on it now and maybe the guy before me changed the gearing and made it something diff from factory.

[ 12-02-2001: Message edited by: Philip ]

Philip,
Raise the rear tires off the ground, shift to neutral, rotate driveshaft and count how many times you have to turn it to get the tires to rotate once. Put a chalk mark on the tire to make it easier to watch. Make sure both tires turn, or the only tire turning will turn at double speed of the ratio.

As for gearing, I am running a 3.07 ratio in a truck with a 305/350 combo. It had a 3.9 previously. The rear end was free, or I would have gone for a 3.5 or 3.3. It is definitly no rocket ship, but it gets much better mileage and fits my driving style/conditions better.

Thanks Curly, I'll give it a try tomarrow. Phil