Not real happy with my 235

After the T-5 swap and some taller gears I am not really happy with the performance of the 235 that is in my 37 Chevy p/u,now it seems to take a long time getting up to speed so I am wondering if I should yank the 3.55 gears and go back to 4.10s now that I have o/d. It just seems like it was much quicker with the original 3 speed and 4.10 gears then it is now but I can now cruise at 70 where I could not before,just wondering if I can have it a little quicker out of the hole and still be able to cruise at highway speeds with a stock 235 or is there not enough motor top do that with. I want to keep it powered by a 6 but the voices in my head are telling me its time for a V8.

 

V-8 time!

 

After getting my 460 powered 66 f250 on the road the 37 seems a little lacking,I have spent a bunch of time getting the 235 to look like a 216 to mess with the restorers and hate to give up on it but I want a little more power.

 

Check here on the HAMB for the formula for rpm's with your current gear set and add the tire height you have now. You may be able to change out to shorter tires and have the acceleration you want and still be able to cruise the highway comfortably. Take a look at the inliners inteernational site for the transmission ratio you have in o.d.

 

Put the 4.10's back in should play well with the T-5,maybe do a little hop-up on the 235 check out:http://www.patricksantiquecars.com/

 

the t -5 has .79 Od ratio which makes your 3:55 a 2:80 gear were the 3 speed it was straight 4:10 and easier on the motor to make the power . on the O/T crs we run a 4:10 and it works out as a 3:23 gear which is real nice across the board . my v-6 Maro was a pretty peppy car till you hit 5th then it was a slug till you started to spin the rpms up then it would start hauling again , the v-8s used a 3:73 gear and it works out great for them as they don't have to run 3000 rpm to go 70 and they get the milage too , plus they can Kick but at the track

opps .72 not .79 to find out the axle ratio in Od would be the equivelent , multiply the axle ratio by the Od number
Ford did use the .68 and.63 also

 

Replace the 235 with a 250 or 292 inline. You'll get more performance options and torque for low end grunt. I have a warmed over 292 with a t-5 and a 3:55 rear and I have tons of low end performance and of 20 mpg on the freeway!

 

I am going to call the guy I had build the 3.55 8 inch and get a 4.10 ready since it will be alot easier then going to a V8 and see how it does,I wish a stock 2 bbl intake would have been made for that motor so I wont have to go to multiple carbs since I want a stock look. A small 2 bbl from a straight 8 would perk that 235 up a little and still look period,the motor runs ok but nothing to get excited about.

 

Which T5 did you use? There are a fair number of different gearsets.

 

right there is the money question.

Its going to take a little time to calculate it all, but if you plan it right you will have less headache. No need to swap a bent motor in there

I am going to assume the 235 is right as far as carburetion, ignition, timing etc. If thats the case, figure your tire size and how fast you want the 235 spinning at 70 or 75 mph, whatever your target is. Then work your way backwards.

Cliff notes version of this is that little motor is happiest with 3.70-3.90 rear gears and OD. Tire size, OD ratio and gear splits will have an effect on what the final outcome is, but this will get you in the ball park. PM me if I can help

 

if you know a good welder that knows how to weld cast iron , you can adapt a 2 barrel flange or make a square or rectangular port to adapt a flange base too, but you r going to find a 2 bbl will make the center ports run rich and the end ports run lean were the 2 1 bbls are easier to control the port fueling . ever think about port mechanical injection??

 

The T-5 I have originally came behind a 2.8 V6 and thats all I know.

 

Also, what is your rear tire diameter?

Okay, so S10, most likely a 1352-145, with a 0.72:1 overdrive.

 

Rich on here adapted a ford 94 carb on his 6-cylinder and said it was a big improvement.
Not sure the CFM difference between that and the rochester.
What size tires are you running in the rear?
If you have a way to swap a smaller size out back,
just for test purposes,
I'd try that out.
It's an easy and cheap way to see how much a rear end ratio change will help,
without spending that much money!
I'd also consider finding an edmunds or whatever dual carburetor setup,
and maybe even those fenton manifolds.
It's cheap bolt on power that still has a traditional style.

TP

 

The plugs are burning good so I think everything with the motor is fine but I think those motors like to be spinning a little faster then its turning now,when I first done the swap it had 2.79 gears and was terrible. The 3.55 helped but still not what I,once I get different gears I know I will have to tune the carb again as it ran really rich with the 2.79 gears due to the motor turning much slower then it was designed to do.

 

235-75-15s and do not know the diameter.

 

It has fentons on it now but the 1 bbl might not be enough,I do not want to put dual carbs on it and would rather adapt a small 2 bbl.

 

28.88"

<table frame="VOID" cols="11" rules="NONE" border="0" cellspacing="0"><colgroup><col width="100"><col width="86"><col width="119"><col width="119"><col width="86"><col width="86"><col width="86"><col width="86"><col width="86"><col width="86"><col width="86"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17" width="100">S10 V6 T5</td><td align="LEFT" width="86">RPM</td><td align="RIGHT" width="119">1000.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="119">1500.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">2000.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">2500.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">3000.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">3500.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">4000.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">4500.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">5000.00</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">
</td><td align="RIGHT">3.76</td><td align="RIGHT">6.44</td><td align="RIGHT">9.66</td><td align="RIGHT">12.87</td><td align="RIGHT">9.66</td><td align="RIGHT">12.87</td><td align="RIGHT">22.53</td><td align="RIGHT">25.75</td><td align="RIGHT">28.97</td><td align="RIGHT">32.18</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">3.55:1 Rear gear.</td><td align="RIGHT">2.18</td><td align="RIGHT">11.10</td><td align="RIGHT">16.65</td><td align="RIGHT">22.20</td><td align="RIGHT">16.65</td><td align="RIGHT">22.20</td><td align="RIGHT">38.86</td><td align="RIGHT">44.41</td><td align="RIGHT">49.96</td><td align="RIGHT">55.51</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">28.88” Rear tire.</td><td align="RIGHT">1.41</td><td align="RIGHT">17.16</td><td align="RIGHT">25.75</td><td align="RIGHT">34.33</td><td align="RIGHT">25.75</td><td align="RIGHT">34.33</td><td align="RIGHT">60.08</td><td align="RIGHT">68.66</td><td align="RIGHT">77.24</td><td align="RIGHT">85.82</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">
</td><td align="RIGHT">1.00</td><td align="RIGHT">24.20</td><td align="RIGHT">36.30</td><td align="RIGHT">48.40</td><td align="RIGHT">60.51</td><td align="RIGHT">72.61</td><td align="RIGHT">84.71</td><td align="RIGHT">96.81</td><td align="RIGHT">108.91</td><td align="RIGHT">121.01</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">
</td><td align="RIGHT">0.72</td><td align="RIGHT">33.61</td><td align="RIGHT">50.42</td><td align="RIGHT">67.23</td><td align="RIGHT">84.04</td><td align="RIGHT">100.84</td><td align="RIGHT">117.65</td><td align="RIGHT">134.46</td><td align="RIGHT">151.26</td><td align="RIGHT">168.07</td></tr></tbody> </table>

<table frame="VOID" cols="11" rules="NONE" border="0" cellspacing="0"><colgroup><col width="100"><col width="86"><col width="119"><col width="119"><col width="86"><col width="86"><col width="86"><col width="86"><col width="86"><col width="86"><col width="86"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17" width="100">S10 V6 T5</td><td align="LEFT" width="86">RPM</td><td align="RIGHT" width="119">1000.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="119">1500.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">2000.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">2500.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">3000.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">3500.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">4000.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">4500.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">5000.00</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">
</td><td align="RIGHT">3.76</td><td align="RIGHT">5.57</td><td align="RIGHT">8.36</td><td align="RIGHT">11.15</td><td align="RIGHT">8.36</td><td align="RIGHT">11.15</td><td align="RIGHT">19.51</td><td align="RIGHT">22.29</td><td align="RIGHT">25.08</td><td align="RIGHT">27.87</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">4.10:1 Rear gear.</td><td align="RIGHT">2.18</td><td align="RIGHT">9.61</td><td align="RIGHT">14.42</td><td align="RIGHT">19.23</td><td align="RIGHT">14.42</td><td align="RIGHT">19.23</td><td align="RIGHT">33.64</td><td align="RIGHT">38.45</td><td align="RIGHT">43.26</td><td align="RIGHT">48.06</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">28.88” Rear tire.</td><td align="RIGHT">1.41</td><td align="RIGHT">14.86</td><td align="RIGHT">22.29</td><td align="RIGHT">29.72</td><td align="RIGHT">22.29</td><td align="RIGHT">29.72</td><td align="RIGHT">52.02</td><td align="RIGHT">59.45</td><td align="RIGHT">66.88</td><td align="RIGHT">74.31</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">
</td><td align="RIGHT">1.00</td><td align="RIGHT">20.96</td><td align="RIGHT">31.43</td><td align="RIGHT">41.91</td><td align="RIGHT">52.39</td><td align="RIGHT">62.87</td><td align="RIGHT">73.34</td><td align="RIGHT">83.82</td><td align="RIGHT">94.30</td><td align="RIGHT">104.78</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">
</td><td align="RIGHT">0.72</td><td align="RIGHT">29.11</td><td align="RIGHT">43.66</td><td align="RIGHT">58.21</td><td align="RIGHT">72.76</td><td align="RIGHT">87.32</td><td align="RIGHT">101.87</td><td align="RIGHT">116.42</td><td align="RIGHT">130.97</td><td align="RIGHT">145.53
</td></tr></tbody> </table>

 

Theoretical 26.5"

<table frame="VOID" cols="11" rules="NONE" border="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17" width="100">S10 V6 T5</td><td align="LEFT" width="86">RPM</td><td align="RIGHT" width="119">1000.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="119">1500.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">2000.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">2500.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">3000.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">3500.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">4000.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">4500.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">5000.00</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">
</td><td align="RIGHT">3.76</td><td align="RIGHT">5.91</td><td align="RIGHT">8.86</td><td align="RIGHT">11.81</td><td align="RIGHT">8.86</td><td align="RIGHT">11.81</td><td align="RIGHT">20.67</td><td align="RIGHT">23.63</td><td align="RIGHT">26.58</td><td align="RIGHT">29.53</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">3.55:1 Rear gear.</td><td align="RIGHT">2.18</td><td align="RIGHT">10.19</td><td align="RIGHT">15.28</td><td align="RIGHT">20.37</td><td align="RIGHT">15.28</td><td align="RIGHT">20.37</td><td align="RIGHT">35.65</td><td align="RIGHT">40.75</td><td align="RIGHT">45.84</td><td align="RIGHT">50.94</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">26.5&#8221; Rear tire.</td><td align="RIGHT">1.41</td><td align="RIGHT">15.75</td><td align="RIGHT">23.63</td><td align="RIGHT">31.50</td><td align="RIGHT">23.63</td><td align="RIGHT">31.50</td><td align="RIGHT">55.13</td><td align="RIGHT">63.00</td><td align="RIGHT">70.88</td><td align="RIGHT">78.75</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">
</td><td align="RIGHT">1.00</td><td align="RIGHT">22.21</td><td align="RIGHT">33.31</td><td align="RIGHT">44.42</td><td align="RIGHT">55.52</td><td align="RIGHT">66.62</td><td align="RIGHT">77.73</td><td align="RIGHT">88.83</td><td align="RIGHT">99.93</td><td align="RIGHT">111.04</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">
</td><td align="RIGHT">0.72</td><td align="RIGHT">30.84</td><td align="RIGHT">46.27</td><td align="RIGHT">61.69</td><td align="RIGHT">77.11</td><td align="RIGHT">92.53</td><td align="RIGHT">107.95</td><td align="RIGHT">123.38</td><td align="RIGHT">138.80</td><td align="RIGHT">154.22</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table frame="VOID" cols="11" rules="NONE" border="0" cellspacing="0"><colgroup><col width="100"><col width="86"><col width="119"><col width="119"><col width="86"><col width="86"><col width="86"><col width="86"><col width="86"><col width="86"><col width="86"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17" width="100">S10 V6 T5</td><td align="LEFT" width="86">RPM</td><td align="RIGHT" width="119">1000.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="119">1500.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">2000.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">2500.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">3000.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">3500.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">4000.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">4500.00</td><td align="RIGHT" width="86">5000.00</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">
</td><td align="RIGHT">3.76</td><td align="RIGHT">5.11</td><td align="RIGHT">7.67</td><td align="RIGHT">10.23</td><td align="RIGHT">7.67</td><td align="RIGHT">10.23</td><td align="RIGHT">17.90</td><td align="RIGHT">20.46</td><td align="RIGHT">23.01</td><td align="RIGHT">25.57</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">4.10:1 Rear gear.</td><td align="RIGHT">2.18</td><td align="RIGHT">8.82</td><td align="RIGHT">13.23</td><td align="RIGHT">17.64</td><td align="RIGHT">13.23</td><td align="RIGHT">17.64</td><td align="RIGHT">30.87</td><td align="RIGHT">35.28</td><td align="RIGHT">39.69</td><td align="RIGHT">44.10</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">26.5&#8221; Rear tire.</td><td align="RIGHT">1.41</td><td align="RIGHT">13.64</td><td align="RIGHT">20.46</td><td align="RIGHT">27.27</td><td align="RIGHT">20.46</td><td align="RIGHT">27.27</td><td align="RIGHT">47.73</td><td align="RIGHT">54.55</td><td align="RIGHT">61.37</td><td align="RIGHT">68.19</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">
</td><td align="RIGHT">1.00</td><td align="RIGHT">19.23</td><td align="RIGHT">28.84</td><td align="RIGHT">38.46</td><td align="RIGHT">48.07</td><td align="RIGHT">57.69</td><td align="RIGHT">67.30</td><td align="RIGHT">76.91</td><td align="RIGHT">86.53</td><td align="RIGHT">96.14</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">
</td><td align="RIGHT">0.72</td><td align="RIGHT">26.71</td><td align="RIGHT">40.06</td><td align="RIGHT">53.41</td><td align="RIGHT">66.77</td><td align="RIGHT">80.12</td><td align="RIGHT">93.47</td><td align="RIGHT">106.83</td><td align="RIGHT">120.18</td><td align="RIGHT">133.53</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

from Gimpys charts and a 28.88" tire you are looking at 3.90 gears. I dont like the gear splits in that transmission, but if thats what you have thats the way it is. First/second shift is going to kill that 235

 

I run that same transmission, with an even smaller, lower power 6. The gear splits are not as bad as you might think.

 

thats good to know. the numbers look like it will be screaming its guts out in first and lugging the piss out of it in second.

Ah, what do I know. I am to lazy to give up my original 3 speed OD

 

I am pushing something all-the-way upwards of 100hp, and about 150lb.-ft. of torque, from a 144cid-6, through mine, with a 3.55:1 rear gear, 23.2" tire, in a 2300lb. car. Not a road-rocket, by any means, but manages city (with 19% grades common) and freeway traffic, at 75, with ease.

Of course, how well the splits are handled will depend on the specific variables of the vehicle, and the engine, but remember, most every application has less disadvantage than my application.

 

Sounds similar to my tire shredder

 

As soon as I can find the number of the rear end builder I will have some new gears on the way,I will try to get some 3.90 gears but will settle for 4.10s. I hope he is still building them as its been about 3 years since I last talked to him.

 

Whenever I have to "round-off" when choosing among variables in drivetrain setup, to comply with what is available in the commercial market, if the choices are a little too low RPM, or a little too high RPM, I always go for a little higher. Better spinning a little faster, with better mechanical advantage, than lugging, within reason.

If you recorded your actual average operating speeds, in MPH, they are probably a lot lower than you'd think. Better to lose a little top-end, than bottom-end.

 

Due to it does not get driven long distances I can put up with a little higher rpms,I want to put a tach in it to see how its spinning but cant find one that looks old enough to go with a stock dash.

 

If I can remember correctly the T-5 I have in the 37 has a 4.03ish first gear and was wondering if the one for the 4.3 will have a better first gear,if I go back to 4.10 gears I could probably get by with not using first gear which I can sometimes do with the present 3.55 gears if the road is flat.

 

told you before to drop a 283 in it

 

Hey Jeff, I'm curious as to what you find regarding the 410 gear. My 52 with the 54 235 is running the 10 bolt Nova rear with 373s and the S-10 T-5. It is a little bit warmed up with an overbore, dual one barrels, Fentons and electronic ignition. It isn't a slouch by any means. Still there are times I would like to see it get up and move out just a little quicker. I had an old hot rodder tell me the 411s aren't made for the 8 inch rears? I wonder of that is true? I almost want to try the lower gear again.
Dom