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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 31 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 31 | Have a 1954 261 in my 1953 3/4 T. Chev with a T5 transmission and 390 rear gears, 31" tires. Now doing 58 m.p.h. at 2200 RPM.
Am thinking about switching out to another T5 that is 25% overdrive. Live in CO foothills, so up and down lots of mountain roads. Am I messing up to go to higher overdrive with current setup?
Thanks--TK261 | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | what's the purpose? you want to do more than 60 on mountain roads in a 53 3/4T? seems putting the effort into better brakes might be more productive
Bill | | | | | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 31 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 31 | Nope--just thought I might be able to improve a bit on highway speed, but I still have to get up and down the hill for daily commute. Didn't know how much I might lose on the tradeoff--? But you make a darn good point on the brakes!
Thanks for the input--TK261 | | | | | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 | I'm running the 4:11 gears in my 53 3/4 ton 235 motor and I can keep up with traffic if I want. You should be sailing with the 3:70s. BTW what did those gears come out of???
Jim | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | up and down hills has nothing to do with OD, if it's much of a hill you'll be downshifting or lugging the poor thing .... I'd say go with the ratio you already have and move on to other improvements if you use it regular at highway speeds - 2500 rpm for a good 261 shouldn't be a problem but 65mph with 55 year old steering and braking technology could easily be, not to mention the stress on wheel/axle bearings, these trucks weren't designed with modern freeways in mind
Bill | | | | | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,820 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,820 | Your choices for a General Motors overdrive gear are .63, .68, .72, .73, .78 and .86, but that is ALL of the GM choices. Some of those are cars with the tail shaft shifter. If you already have the .63 or .68, I don't know how you could do any better and if you have the .72 or .73, the difference between .68 and .72 or .73 is going to be not that noticeable. If by chance you have the .78 or .86 overdrive, than you might be able to help your self by dropping to the .63. That is a big drop and I can't see how over drive (5th gear) can be much good in the hills. I would think it is more of a a flat land, straight roads gear.
"Truckin' Around .......... Since 1937!" My name is Joe and I am addicted to Classic Country Music. I just can't hep myself.Operators are standing by to take your calls! Now cruising in the Passing Lane | | | | | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 31 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 31 | O.K.--did some more checking--I have 4.11 rear gears, .86 OD--but considering all posts, think I'll stick with what I've got. Time (and $'s) better spent on other improvements as suggested.
Thanks guys. | | |
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