Thread: Cool Old Rides

Originally Posted by Darth

I know I'm gonna have to re-gear the rear end in the GTO. I set her up for cruising and draggin back in the day so she has a lot of ass and torque on the low end, but winds out really quickly. I'm at about 3200 RPM at 60 MPH on the highway in 4th gear. I'm at about 5500 RPM at 90 MPH (redline) which is about all an old Pontiac motor
can take (any motor from back then really). I could replace the tranny with a modern Tremec 6 speed overdrive (blasphemy) but I love the old "Rockcrusher". So if I re-gear the end to about 3.08, I should be close to 2300 RPM at 60-70. Heather (the 69'Camaro) has a 6 speed and she can cruise effortlessly at about 1800 RPM doing 70. Thats a lot less work for the engine.

A 3.55 gear is the one to have,,,A 3.08 gear is like removing the nuts from your dog !!! A 3.70 is also a nice gear... The 3.55 will give you some quickness and some hi-way... thats whats going in my 67 Goat.....when I find one !!!!!!

You need more info to determine what gear will best suit you

Calculators

This should give you an idea. It is good to know what your stall converter is rated at. This can have a big effect on drivability. It does not change the rear ratio, but everything needs to be matched to make a good driver. Tire size also affects the final drive ratio. Is the rear a open or posi-traction. You can check by jacking up the rearend and rotating the tires. If they both rotate them same, it should be a posi rear. If one tire rolls in the opposite direction, it is a open rear.

Another choice is a Gear Venders. Gear Vendors under/overdrive auxiliary transmissions for Hot Rods Applications.
These great heavy duty units and are great for dragging and highway.

If you are looking to use it as a driver, there is nothing wrong with a 3.08. If your are going to race it, sounds like your current gear would be okay

To get a rough estimate of your current gear you can try this.

With a standard open (non posi traction) differential raise one wheel off of the ground, mark the tire at the 6:00 position, mark the drive shaft. Turn the tire exactly 2 full turns. Count the number of times that the drive shaft turns.

2-3/4 turns of the drive shaft = 2.73, just past 3 turns = 3.08, 3-1/3 = 3.23 or 3.31, almost 3-1/2 = 3.42, just past 3-1/2 = 3.55, 3-3/4 = 3.73, just past 4 = 4.10 or 4.11.

With a good solid limited slip differential (posi) raise both wheels off of the ground and turn both wheels exactly 1 full turn. Everything else is the same as above. You can also do this with a standard differential as long as both wheels turn exactly 1 full turn

With a posi rear end...when you spin your tires....do you get 2 black tire marks ?? And only one black tire mark with a non posi rear end ??

Originally Posted by cahnwulf

She's gorgeous - hopefully she went to a good home. I think it only takes one incident of a kick-starter recoil before we learn our lesson... I know I did! Was the BSA a resto as well?

Bought it for $100, rode it 15 years and sold for $3k. It was shot when I got it but it became perfectly reliable and was quite rewarding.

Yes you do. My 65' Goat has an open rear end. My 69' Camaro has positraction.

As for the gears, right now that engine is great for cruising around town and drag racing or stop lights fights. However, it is AWFUL for cruising on the highway. I would hate to have to do the Hot Rod Power Tour with that car. That engine would be wearing itself out trying to go 60 MPH all day. As stated earlier, i would be running at around 3200-3700 RPM in 4th. I don't want to swap out the old rockcrusher, so re-gearing the rear end would help lower the RPMs and lessen the strain on the engine.

Originally Posted by Darth

Yes you do. My 65' Goat has an open rear end. My 69' Camaro has positraction.

As for the gears, right now that engine is great for cruising around town and drag racing or stop lights fights. However, it is AWFUL for cruising on the highway. I would hate to have to do the Hot Rod Power Tour with that car. That engine would be wearing itself out trying to go 60 MPH all day. As stated earlier, i would be running at around 3200-3700 RPM in 4th. I don't want to swap out the old rockcrusher, so re-gearing the rear end would help lower the RPMs and lessen the strain on the engine.

Spent a lot of time at the drag strip 1973-1980.. Wednesday night was grudge racing..got into the track and make as many passes as you can for 2.00 that right 2 bucks !!!! As for your rear end gears with out swapping every thing.....just run a taller tire in the back to cut the rpm's down..like an 18 inch wheel and big side wall tire..

I was looking for the thread of black and white photos, but will put this here for now. Sorry it doesn't show more of the car, I'm not even sure what it is. But, I'm also sure someone lurking around here will know what it is. I think this is my Aunt Rose, and I don't know the date. Anyway, here's the picture. BTW, I wish I had that car now!

Nice pic...got to be mid 30's for sure

Originally Posted by shayne

Mick, Mpg varies depending on the amount of eggs and beans I eat, that and the steepness of the hill

clean living

You biker types ...I heard about you. Born to be wild ...Ride hard live hard !

Hey guys, im new here.. leave it to me to find the car thread in a forum of razors :P

This is my ride, got her with my highschool graduation money just this last spring.
1977 El Camino Classic
Its got a 350 out of an Impala SS (cannot remember the year, 71 perhaps?)
Modified a good bit, she hauls.. thats for sure



20,000 on the motor, 112,000 on the body
The air shocks are flat in this picture, normally its hiked way up in the back
Custom made Tono cover
dual exhaust w. glass packs

This kinda goes to my introduction thread... I prefer the classics in life. The older, the better
Back when men where men, and women where proud of it