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Old 03-13-2013, 10:30 AM   #1
gkgeiger
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Default Anyone running a 3.25 ratio rear?

I will be installing my rebuilt 276ci FH in a couple weeks and was wondering if anyone is running a 3.25 rear with a 39 trans. I'd really like to be able to keep up with my buddies and their OD equipped cars. I currently have a 3.78 w/7.00X16 rear tires.
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Old 03-13-2013, 10:51 AM   #2
David J
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Default Re: Anyone running a 3.25 ratio rear?

May work better for you with a bigger motor . With a stock 34 it is kinda poochy . The 67- input and cluster help with takeoff but you find yourself shifting more to make up for the wider gaps in the tranny ratios . Yes this isn't exactly what you asked but it is an example of 3.25 gears in a stock 34 . Won't do it again . 3.54'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Something that helps also is a pair of tall rear tires for extended trips . Easiest way to change rear gear anyway .
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Old 03-13-2013, 12:20 PM   #3
Chris Nelson
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Default Re: Anyone running a 3.25 ratio rear?

I have used 3.25:1 ratio in two cars with great success.. I also have used a C-4 automatic in that application. One is a 36 Ford Conv and the other is a 46 Ford conv.. The engine was a .080 over bore in both cases. Of course you aren't going to tear up tires at the stop light, but who wants to ruin good tires anyway.
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Old 03-13-2013, 12:49 PM   #4
JM 35 Sedan
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Default Re: Anyone running a 3.25 ratio rear?

It depends mainly on the weight and hp of the vehicle. A friend put 3.25 gears (replacing 4.11) in a light weight Track T roaster running a basically stock 8ba engine. This put his engine RPM right where he wanted it to be at 55 mph.
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Old 03-13-2013, 06:17 PM   #5
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Default Re: Anyone running a 3.25 ratio rear?

go with a 3:54, I currently have a 3:25 with a 51 Merc engine/77b isky cam in my 41 truck same 3 spd as yours and it is hard to get going on about any stoplight on a hill, have to slip the clutch, I am going back to the 3:54 but 3:25 will really make it run down the road!!!
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Old 03-13-2013, 08:17 PM   #6
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Default Re: Anyone running a 3.25 ratio rear?

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Quote:
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The 67- input and cluster help with takeoff but you find yourself shifting more to make up for the wider gaps in the tranny ratios .
"67" gears... Is this the pickup trans with 29 tooth cluster?
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Old 03-13-2013, 09:36 PM   #7
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Default Re: Anyone running a 3.25 ratio rear?

28 tooth car trans, there are actually two 29 tooth first gear cluster gears, pick-up and bus which is even lower-I have a set of those gears and first goes about ten feet , second goes about 20 more feet and then you are dead in the water for acceleration-but would pull a dead horses thru a key hole
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Old 03-14-2013, 08:44 AM   #8
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Default Re: Anyone running a 3.25 ratio rear?

Quote:
Originally Posted by alan View Post
28 tooth car trans, there are actually two 29 tooth first gear cluster gears, pick-up and bus which is even lower-I have a set of those gears and first goes about ten feet , second goes about 20 more feet and then you are dead in the water for acceleration-but would pull a dead horses thru a key hole
Pull a dead horse thru a key hole! Haaaa Haaaa! LMAO that is funny!
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Old 03-14-2013, 06:08 PM   #9
David J
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Default Re: Anyone running a 3.25 ratio rear?

Yessir - and it is a combination I won't be using again . See Alans post . Pretty well sums it up . New computer and me & it ain't getting on well yet !!!!!!
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"67" gears... Is this the pickup trans with 29 tooth cluster?
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Old 03-14-2013, 07:17 PM   #10
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Default Re: Anyone running a 3.25 ratio rear?

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Originally Posted by flat-v8 View Post
Pull a dead horse thru a key hole! Haaaa Haaaa! LMAO that is funny!
I own eleven horses. Buried a number through the years. Let me tell ya first hand, ain't no old flathead Ford gonna pull a horse through a key hole.
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Old 03-14-2013, 07:45 PM   #11
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Default Re: Anyone running a 3.25 ratio rear?

Got 3:26's behind a 239 in a 31 Pickup. Using a 29 tooth cluster in a 37 case. It works out real good for me.
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Old 03-14-2013, 07:51 PM   #12
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Default Re: Anyone running a 3.25 ratio rear?

i have 3.25 in 46 convertible stock 8 ba runs great no problems with hills lots of model A'S running 327 in stock engins that work well here
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Old 03-14-2013, 08:02 PM   #13
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Default Re: Anyone running a 3.25 ratio rear?

Had a 3.25:1 9" rear in a '74 F100 w/3sp and 302..... it hauled pretty good! the 9" has some parasitic HP loss, but a built flatty like yours should be no problem to overcome that. However, the jumps in the 39 tranny gears may make a 3.54 better. crashbox 4sp w/3.25's is decent. A T5 w/ 3.54's is dang good. So, doing the mental math, I'd say 3.25's would be ok, except maybe on really big hills.
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Old 03-14-2013, 09:04 PM   #14
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Default Re: Anyone running a 3.25 ratio rear?

I have several friends running 276 engines L-100 cams in heavy cars. these cars have 3.78 rear gears. However, they also have a Michael OD unit. now this puts the final drive into the mid 2.5/ 2.8 and yet they can drive very comfortably around in hi range. so I don't think a 3.27 would bother a well built engine, and give great economy.
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Old 03-15-2013, 07:09 AM   #15
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Default Re: Anyone running a 3.25 ratio rear?

Thanks for all the responses. I think I'll give it a try. i really would like a Mitchell but this would be much cheaper.
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Old 03-15-2013, 07:35 AM   #16
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Default Re: Anyone running a 3.25 ratio rear?

I had one with a 8BA and a s10 5 speed. Worked fine but 1st gear in the s10 trans is 4 to 1 and taking off in second needed to slip the clutch alittle. 5th was great with the 325 rear. Can't say with a 39 box.
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