Hot Rods 140 Horsepower. 3 gears. 3.08:1. 28" tires. 3200lbs

I'm in an area where the big rig speed limit is 55 mph. According to the chart in the below link, many states allow 70 mph, and Utah allows 85 mph. I searched because I vaguely thought that big rigs had a federal speed limit of 55 mph.

I wouldn't be comfortable with big rigs hauling ass, especially if they're doing that in the slow lane. (With lane control, big rigs are supposed to keep it in the two right lanes.)


https://www.truckercountry.com/trucker-resources/trip-planning/speed-limits/

 

Quick and dirty:

T5, work with the floor shifter. A non-world-class one will be fine in your application.

Ford Ranger 7.5 or 8.8 rear. These can be had with 4.10:1 gears, depending om the configuration, and can be re-drilled for GM pattern. Yes, the 8.8 is stronger, but you will be fine with a 7.5. There are two brake sizes 9" and 10", look for the 10" ones. It doesn't matter if they have ABS. That is a sensor you can ignore. There are two widths depending on the square or rounded body style. That can help you with wheel choices. They are 56-1/2" and 58-1/2".
-or-
Jeep Cherokee (XJ) rear, any variant, with an automatic, 4-cylinder, or both. Those also has 4.10:1 gears. Those are Ford/Chrysler wheel bolt pattern. Those are about 58" depending on the year.

 

Ever rear end a school bus?
or a flatbed

 

Maybe the term "run over" might be a bit extreme ..... but not much.
I'm specifically thinking FM 108 ... (farm to market road 108) In Rural Texas. The road is 2 lanes, one in each direction and the speed limit is 75 mph. There is no slow lane or passing lane. Just a wide shoulder for slower moving farm equipment. ..... I feel comfortable there because I can just drive on the shoulder and let them pass.

Same time if I want to go east or west, I can just follow I-20 on the frontage road. Speed limit 55 and wide shoulders for farm equipment.

Now if I want to go south, same 2 lane highway speed limit 75 mph ..... no wide shoulders to drive on, very hilly and curvy often not safe to pass .... I really would not feel comfortable driving that road.
I would drive it if needed, but not for a leisurely afternoon drive.

My post I wanted to push 2 points ... A:, I think I could get by just fine driving 55 mph .... spending the extra time & $$$ to go 70 is really not worth the effort.

B:, I feel I need to actually drive it and experience it in my vehicle in my location ... Then make a decision. .... Same with original poster .... My experience probably wont be the same as others experience ..... cepting for @squirrel ... he drove em all everywhere

 

Jim, that might be a good solution for you, but I simply cannot stand driving behind even a small box van where I can't view the traffic ahead. Just have to be able to see further up the road in case there is an accident or stopped traffic ahead.

Guarantee you they are not adhering to any 55mph or even 65 mph speed limit in Ky. The difference might be how many semis are traversing Utah vs how many come thru Ky. We have a lot of UPS and Amazon distribution centers adjacent to I-65 from Louisville to e-town. Seems to be our biggest growth industry around here. So maybe thats a factor affecting how many semis per mile. We do seem to have our fair share of semi related accidents in this corridor.


Anyone ever watch the old Steven Spielberg movie "Dual" with Dennis Weaver.............
Now I don't expect that, but with millions of them on the road, some of them are gonna get irritated on occasion.

www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=steven%20spielberg%20first%20movie%20dennis%20weaver&mid=7471629F884BF8A2C6387471629F884BF8A2C638&ajaxhist=0

 

Never knew folks could be scared to drive slow

 

My coupe has a more modern V6 with maybe 20 more HP then the OP has from his inline 6. Its backed with a 5 speed OD trans and a 3:55 rear gear on 225 75 15 tires.
The rear gear makes it fun to drive around town, the OD makes it OK on the highways. The car loves to cruise between 60 and 65, but it can run on the interstate, which in most places is actually closer to 80 then it is to the posted 65 or 70. It often feels like I'm really pushing the car to keep up on the interstate, so I pretty much avoid it as much as possible. I don't feel comfortable driving on the interstate at 65, the traffic from behind approaches very fast, and it sure seems most people can not grasp the idea that someone might actually be driving in speed limit, or a bit slower. Being "run over" may not be the correct term, but "barely missed as they went past" sure applies. I'm not driving a bus, I'm driving a car.

To the OP, put in a higher rear gear, and add an OD, and you will likely enjoy your truck much more.

If you don't want to do that, chase down one of the old Mopar 833 OD 4 speeds (originally designed to use behind Mopars slant 6). A good, useable low 1st gear, a good range 2nd gear, 3rd is one to one, and 4th is OD. It still as the side shift linkage so you can adapt it to your column shift with rev as a separate lever. If you get the urge to abuse it, it is not fragile.

 

Thats funny, plus brownie points for you

In my case it is, I'm concerned about the quality of drivers on the road today.
The current crop of new drivers does scare the crap out of me.
Seems they are always texting or talking on the phone .... stoned or just stupid. Even the professional truck drivers leaves a thinking man wondering.
Past two months I've had issues with 3 different semi's that would get them tickets. 2 of them possibly jail.

I have been driving south a lot the last couple months, had a BIL dying in the hospital and wife was listed as his caretaker so we made a lot of trips .... one more trip next week to pick up his ashes.
There is some crazy people out there on these 75 mph two lane back roads.
I'm driving 80 mph in my ot daily driver and people come out of nowhere and pass me like I'm standing still .... I'm fine with that .... What happens in the same situation and I'm driving 50 mph & they are 95 mph and there is no place to pass?

Yes if they rear end me they would be at fault for unsafe reckless driving. ..... Am I any better for driving a shit box that is actually a safety hazard because it cant drive the posted speeds?

Many states have speed limits of 55-65 mph on the freeway, I would not have a problem driving 55 in the slow lane. .... Texas it seems the speed limit is 75 almost everywhere outside of town.

I'm a firm believer that if your car is going to be a safety hazard on the highway .... GTFO!
Same time by picking and choosing my roads, I can get by just fine at a leisurely pace and get anywhere I need to go.

 

My beaters are bigger than most.
Bus and a c40. Never an issue.
My 49GMC is the one I mentioned with a 235 and 3 on the tree.
Daily driver for a long time. 60-65 on the interstate was doable. I just stayed in the right lane. No issues. Got a finger a time or two. That’s about it.
Was very common for me and the wife to do a couple hundred miles of driving on a Saturday. Mostly backroads. Hills and hollers.
Did just fine.
I recommend good brakes and wipers (or rain x)

 

> > Never knew folks could be scared to drive slow > >

Yep. Driving a leisurely 100mph on the autobahn might scare you too.

 

THANK YOU ALL so much for sharing your wisdom and experience


I spend a lot of time in this “compromise” stage when choosing 350/th350/3.08 for my sedan. Now I just had the v8 in there. I hate the cut firewall brakes I hate the heat I hate how cramped the engine bay is. 6 cylinders and overdrive solve that for that car. I decided on a while ago to go with a 250 (292 hard to find likely not quite as smooth) and 200-4r. Can’t wait!


As for the truck. You all have me convinced that I need overdrive. I really want to use that 235. I realize it’s not as good as a 250. It’s sitting there and it’s beautiful. 292 would be totally awesome, but again, not easy to find. Marketplace seems to have ruined the hobby and everything is overpriced in the echo chamber that marketplace has become. Plus, I’m not sure something with so much stroke is as smooth. Nevertheless, I’m definitely going to do overdrive.

I’ll try finding and using a three speed on the column with overdrive so I don’t have to give that up, but if the truck was ready, and there wasn’t one to put in it, T5 will be fine. I will save the column shifter in case I ever regret it. Probably will run 373 or 411 or whatever in the back

Have a 1957 Chevy car axle in my car. I have a 56 on the line to purchase. i’ll have 308, 355, and 373 to choose from. Shouldn’t be hard to find for 11.

I would like to use 49 through 54 car hubs (I believe they are direct fit for a 47 through 55 truck) so the whole entire truck uses Chevy five lug

 

Is than in LA?
Lower Alabama

 

I guess I just dont think my truck as is stock will maintain 60-65. While I could get it there, the rpm's would be more then I care to run.
I had a 1951 Ford 3/4 ton V8 4spd, I drove it on the freeway all the time back in the 1980's in the Puyallup/Tacoma WA area but the speed limit was 55. I burnt the rod bearings out on it.

I drove a 1959 chebby panel truck to Las Vegas from Tacoma .... I do not remember if it was a 216 or a 235 ... it did have a 3spd with overdrive trans though. I burnt the rod bearings out on it.

In Vegas I lived out on Nellis BLVD and car pooled with a fellow worker. He had a 1955 chebby 1/2 ton with factory 216 I think and a 2spd automatic transmission .... took 2 miles to get up to the speed limit but we got by ..... He was smart, he burned out his rod bearings also ... he bought new ones and used a beer can for shims behind the bearings and drove it from CA to NV .... ran great and got us the finger many times on the way to work.

IMHO, these older engines do not like high rpm .... were all 235 fully pressurized oil systems?
3 speed transmissions and 4:10 rear ends are all pretty equal in performance.
I guess a full pressure oil system would be capable of maintaining higher rpm's.

I have a low mile 8BA in my garage with low miles and factory pistons with zero wear on the cylinders ... The crank has been turned 10/10 for new bearings .... just saying.

 

That was comfortable at 60-65. Had 3:55 gears, 235/75s
Could go faster.
Ran a 223 ford for few years that had 3:90 gears. 255/70 tires 55-65 constantly.

 

As the owner of a small block Chevy swapped 53 myself I'm a lil curious as to your complaints. Aside from exhaust being tight around the steering box there's plenty of room to work. As to firewall master cylinder you can still run an under floor master. There are even under floor pedal assemblies for 49-54 Chevy for power brakes. And a lil confused how engine cylinders would affect heat

 

The 235 I have is a full oiler.


The highway here means state routes. Out bye me they are very sparsely traveled. The interstate - i90/i490/i390/i590 and ny531 are the ones that make up our area. And the part of ny104 that connect them all. The part near the city - where I do not go anywhere near - might get congested once in a while. Anywhere near where I’m at or where I go is very lightly traveled.



I doubt I’d take this on a road trip but if I did, I’m thinking 65 is able all the front end (beam and king pin) cares to know about anyway. Asking for more just leads me to an S10 frame with an LS swap. I wanna keep it old school. Just need to be sure I’m able to leave a light and be at safe rpm’s at 57-63 mph


This chat - for which I’m grateful - has me convinced that I am doing high 3/low 4 for the rear end and an overdrive. Not sure yet if three speed like a BW or just a t5. If it’s a t5 and I have to give up my column shifter, I will use a pool ball (color coordinated to the truck) as a shift ball and call it done.

 

Someone said about a 62 corvette having the same front end - that’s my sedan. Not my truck.


But you had upgraded dranklink and roller bearings in your idler arm. I’d love those from a vette to beef up mine.

I’ve cruised at 80+ in mine. With overdrive, windlace, and some sound deadening it wouldn’t have been bad actually.

 

Moonshiners hammered old junk on back roads

cruising those sameroads with the same old cars will be fine.

It’s not a Stanley Steamer

 

They didnt have to lay down the equivalent of a middle class mortgage payment for an overdrive 3 speed or a worn out six banger, though. Beating on 70 year old parts cause people beat on them 69 years ago is stupid for anyone without unlimited funds for parts and time to throw them at their car. I have neither.

 

If you can afford a s10 amd LS swap I bet keeping the old crap going fits in that budget as well.

 

You know a three speed with od from a trip five Chevy essentially goes for scrap weight these days. I imagine it could be made to work with original column shift. I mean I sold one of those transmissions for $65 a couple years ago

 

Got any more of em?
Paid a little more for this one

Suposed to be picking up a Saginaw OD tail shaft set up tomorrow
Plus some other odds and ends

 

Guy I sold it to would probably sell it lol. I see them fairly regular on marketplace

 

Basically on the one that I sold I technically sold it for the guy that gave me my 283. He offered to give it to me but seeing as I foresaw no use for it myself I declined and helped him sell it. He actually told me to sell it for $100 and keep $35 of it. But seeing as the guy that bought it not only went to check out a 55 Pontiac rear end but also went ahead and bought it for me to reimburse him on after hearing I wanted it and then delivered it for $5 in gas I just sold it for the 65 bucks the owner wanted for the trans. Only had 45k on it lol

 

Yea those were affordable back when. Don’t see any more now. They seem cool. Easy to use on the colum - the levers essentially need to be hooked up yo the matching levers on the trans. In theory I can run a 5 speed from
The column. But less shifting is nice.

as understand it, just drive it like a 3 speed, the off the gas and back on drops it to OD. I’d love that. Perfect for what I’m trying to do but again, hard to find




S10 and LS are way cheaper. In both money to buy and time to source

 

I think that’s a good decision, and you’ll be happy with the results. I’m a ford guy, so I don’t know how GM set up the o/d cars. But for Fords it’s typical was a 3.9x or so rear, and a 4.11 for a 6. A 6 cyl o/d wagon got a Dana 40 series with a 4.27. Trucks got a 4:11. They ran fine, I drove those combinations at 70+ on the freeways in the late 60’s. For your usage, a 3.7 should also be fine.

To help out, here’s the BW manual. It explains the wiring, and most of what you’d need for a rebuild. A number of folks here can explain how to use a modern (cheaper) relay with an inline fuse, and a simple on off switch instead of the floor/throttle pedal kick down switch. If you find a take out with all the electrical stuff, use it. They worked really well once you understood them.

http://www.oldwillysforum.com/forum/TechData/BWOverdriveManual.pdf

 

I’ll
Read that thanks! I was under the impression it can be set up to automatically go into overdrive and back out. Hopefully that’s the case.


If I snag one from a 1955-6-7 car, I assume it will use the same bell housing as the 1956 engine I have with a 3 speed on it. If not I am sure I can find a bell. But does a bell with a v8 pattern exist in case I want to run it with a 230-250-292? Been years since I’ve been in the weeds of cross referencing and cobbling bells

Thank you!!!

 

If you can swap a chassis and hook everything up faster than fixing old brakes and going thru an old suspension, film it.
I’d enjoy watching it.

Price? Well I just did a complete stock rebuild on my merc brakes for about what a s10 brings across the scales.
bought it all except 2 front seal local.
Easiest brake job ever.
Old front suspension? This old crap is tough. Wasn’t worn out. But needed a good cleaning and greasing.
$80 drop springs and homemade lowering blocks.
Overhauling a 60s sbc bout as cheap as sourcing a used LS.
Hooking it to the original 3 on the tree.
I plan on burning up the back roads soon, hopefully.
I’ll probably enjoy the fast lane occasionally.

 

Read it more than once. I was lucky, I leaned to drive one in 1967, taught by my father had driven them for years. Did a better job teaching me the o/d than he did driving in general.

 

Yeah the one I sold was bolted to my 283 that had been in a 55 Bel Air since 1958. So not only are V8 bellhousings available but plentiful. And I know the 3 speed with od will fit a 235 because I briefly had a 3 speed Saginaw from behind what I'm guessing was a 235 bolted to the same V8 bellhousing and clutch