The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 With 3.38 gears

Is anyone out there running a stock 235 with 3.38 gears??

I’m seriously considering a change to a 3.38 ring and pinion to reduce RPM’s at highway speeds of 50 to 60 MPH. My truck currently has a 3.90 rear and I just don’t feel comfortable running for long distances above 2500 RPM. What worries me is how well it will pull away from a stop. I’m currently able to start very easily using my 3.478 to 1 second gear. What I’m hoping is not to have to use the 7.06 to 1 first gear after changing to a 3.38 ring and pinion.

I think you will be ok getting started from a standing start. My concern would be high gear. You would be sacrificing quite a bit of performance. It doesn't hurt to run a 235 over 2500 rpm. They get pretty noisy at highway speed, but it doesn't hurt them.

That 235 if it's running right has plenty of torque for the 3.38 gears. I would go for it. It will make a whole new truck out of it. You will want to drive it a lot more.

My Dad has a '59 1/2 ton with 235/3.90 and 3 speed and it is a pleasure to drive. It is driven at 60 plus mph regularly, and quite comfortably.
He also used to have a '55 1/2 ton with 265 v8 and 3.38 gears and I thought it seemed a little sluggish compared to the '59.

Maybe you should consider an overdrive for the best of both worlds.

Kip,

Have a 58 with a 235 and 2 years ago converted from the 3.90 to a 3.38. A little more finesse is needed when starting from a dead stop with the stock transmission, and you will need that first gear, but it has made it a real pleasure to drive. I have had it at 70 with no issues, but surprisingly, I thought there would be a notable increase in gas mileage. As most of my driving is in town, I have noticed only about a 2MPG increase.

I really do recommend the change, but expect to use first gear regularly.

Thankx for all the help here. I just purchased a 3.38 set today. From Patrick’s, a nicer group of people you will not find !!

I have now taken several drives with the truck’s new 3.38 gears. I couldn’t be happier. The ’53 Power Glide 235 which produced 115 HP new still has plenty of power to pull the 3.38. I’m using the ‘41’s original, granny geared, 4 spd. crash box and have absolutely no problem pulling away from a stop in 2nd gear. With my relatively small (almost stock) 205/78-15 tires I get about 24 MPH/ 1000RPM’s

Kip, I agree with you on this! Those folks know what customer service is!

Kip,

Glad that worked out so well. The 3.38 gearing really made mine much more enjoyable to drive.

I think a 3.38 is a bit much and Richard in Fl. doesn't have hills to deal with. I hope you don't up there cause I know it would not work for me because of the mountains I live in.

But you already have the gear, so let us know how it runs out after you swap gears. Thanks
Dan

Well Dan, you are correct about hills, we don’t have many in Michigan and certainly not mountains like those west of you. So far no problem around here and if I do there is always 3rd gear.

I live in Reno, Nv. and own prop near Sacramento, Ca. I have a 55 1st 3100 with the 235 and the 3:38 gear set. I run it regularly back and forth on I80 between Sac and back. Reno is 4000 ft elevation and Sac is less than 1000 feet. Donner Summit is 7200 feet. I have no problem running back and forth. there is a 7 mile stretch between Truckee, Ca. and the Donner Summit that goes from about 6000 ft. to 7200 ft., and unless I have a load on the truck, I have no problem pulling that hill. Get into the hills all around the area and just love driving my truck. Have fun. Bruce jr.

P.S. Patrick has always been great when I have dealt with them. Great People and great service.

I run a 261 with 3.50 gears and an overdrive transmission (GM 89mm). At 65mph it runs 2000 rpm. I have NO issues pulling hills, and if a hill comes up there is always 3rd gear (1:1).

I get 20 mpg on the highway.

My truck has a 261 with TBI, T5 with .82 overdive and 3.08 rear end. I like it. It has plenty of power to pull it. You can allways drop drown a gear if needed, no big deal to down shift.