gearing up to go faster questions

[PeterC]

I'm with Duece Roadster re thinking about brakes so that you can stop ... but even go further (well tuned mechanicals are excellent brakes as are later hydraulic) - but these early Fords are not designed to stop fast no matter what brakes you have ... skinny tires and high speed just mean locking up the brakes and at 70mph so you will need a long runway to stop.

I learned this lesson with my 296cu Flathead powered 39 Coupe with a Columbia and remember it every time I drive an early Ford - you can not compete with modern high speed traffic and modern cars that stop on a dime with drivers that have no clue or respect for what we are driving.

[1935coupe]

Thanks for all the great info! found the numbers, thanks art, 9 37 so it looks like 4.11
looking to join the Ford V-8 Club

thank for all the compliments on the car. I was told the aunt that drove the car all those years would never drive in the rain because the roof leaks. lived in Baltimore city and kept the car in the garage. when she would take it out she drove very slow. did not get a drivers license until the mid 50's. yes the car is almost rust free the wood under the car you can still see saw marks on it but every fender is dented banged out and dented again. I love the look and do not plan on changing it.

[motordr]

I have 3.54 gears in my 32 Vicky and find them a great all around gear. This winter I'm installing a Columbia Two-speed with 4.11 gears, just to cut the revs down when cruising the highway.

[scooder]

Originally Posted by Ianrhall

Been wondering about changing gearing too. Are 3.78 or similar gears readily available, how much?
Ian

Ian, is this on your pickup? If so 3.78:1 is standard (mostly) you can't fit the other Ford V8 ring and pinion sets, the pinion is for 42-47 pickup only. To use other sets, your looking at having to use a closed drive to open drive adaptor, the stock pickup bits are similar but not the same. This would work out spendy.
I would go for (and have on my 42) overdrive of some type. Mine is a 49-early 51 Merc box (transmission)
Martin.

[Ianrhall]

Yes an overdrive box would be nice, not too many of those around either tho
Ian

[scooder]

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Important add on to my bit and to clarify.
If my 42 had a 3.78 up it, I wouldn't need an overdrive, in my opinion that is a fairly near to perfect ratio for these vehicles.
If mine had 4.11 I'd maybe look lazily into some kind of overdrive, but probably only go for it if I fell over one very cheap.
Mine has 4.27 Merc axle and overdrive, cus that's what I had.
I base my opinion on these ratio choices from experience, my old T had flathead, 39 trans, 8.20x15 tyres and 4.11 rear. It would snoockle up the motorway at north of 70mph with ease. Oftentimes significantly north of 70! Would have no problem doing it again.
If the op's 35 tops out at 50mph with 4.11 rear, it's broke. I good fetal, 70 with ease, she'll do 80 if you wanted to. Be buzzing, but it should do it.
I have a test procedure writ here someplace that's for testing for weak valve springs. With 4.11 and 600/16 tyres it should do 50mph in SECOND with no valve float. If it won't, the valve springs are weak.
See what I mean about 70mph with ease?
Martin.

[Lawrie]

even with the 4.11 rear it should do much more than 50,look at the factory specs,it was meant to be able to go 83 mph.
When I had the 4.11 in my stock 33 it would run all day at 55-60 mph.
but after fitting a 3.78 from a 46 it sure seems happier.
lawrie

[Kurt in NJ]

I also agree with Scooder and Lawrie, if it truly will only do 50 something is wrong

Before my 36 was taken apart I knew it would do 60 ---the engine had no problem with it---the steering,brakes trans and door latches didn't like it though --all were very worn out----the 39 with the 4:44 rear and 60hp had no problems with 65-70---and flat out could almost make 80, and I drove it up the parkway for hundreds of miles at a time at 70, on hills I found that downshifting to 2nd at 40 gave the best gas mileage ----I know the 60 is a much different engine, but the 85 should be able to out perform it.

A bad fan (damaged blades?}, or having a slow speed pulley so the generator charges at low speeds can make the fan spin fast and make a lot of noise at highway speeds ---you said it was only driven slow for most of it's life, it could have been changed to keep the battery charged driving slow around town

[dean333]

My 36 Fordoor has P215-70/R16's, haven't verified ratio yet. It will DO 60, but the engine is really revving. I realized how much I wish I had overdrive when I drive my 57 Studebaker Commander 259V8, what a dream when it shifts into overdrive at 35.

[scooder]

Originally Posted by dean333

My 36 Fordoor has P215-70/R16's, haven't verified ratio yet. It will DO 60, but the engine is really revving. I realized how much I wish I had overdrive when I drive my 57 Studebaker Commander 259V8, what a dream when it shifts into overdrive at 35.

Just run some numbers, if yours had 4.11 rear, at 60mph it would be pulling a hair under 3000rpm.
Is that really revving? Obviously it's down to opinions, in my book that's not really revving.
With 4.55 it'd be about 3300rpm, still very reasonable in my book.
It depends what your used to I spose, my Cortina is at 4000rpm at 70mph, he'll do it all day if you want. Not the same engine I know but still a 48 year old engine designed 50+ years ago. I'll agree that 4000rpm is bit busy even for me.
Martin.

[Ianrhall]

What does a stock flathead rev to 4k?
My 53 lopes along at around 70 on the clock fairly easily
Ian

[GEOFFNZ]

I agree with a previous post and from past experience that in mixed terrain the 3.78 ratio averages out very well with good cruising and hill climbing depending on tyre size, weight and motor size.All factors that have to be considered.Cheers

[Ianrhall]

Ok, where could I get those gears?
Ian

[1935coupe]

I could go faster and had her up to 60 no problem but not having a tack the engine sounds like it is over revving. Just dumped a lot into it so did not want to have it come apart. I can not drive it now but thinking may be the direct drive fan may make it sound like the RPM's are higher.
With all the input here decided to go with a 2 speed from Mitchell. I can put it in and if I want to return it back I will have the old parts to do so. I called yesterday and am on the list, it should be here in February.

[supereal]

I put a Ryan overdrive in my '47 years ago. I chose a 33% reduction. With my 3:78 rear, it is a bit tall. I shift into it at about 40 mph, and can run 70 easily. Below 40, it lugs a bit. In hindsight, 30% probably would be a better choice. OD is the best choice for overall driving. The advice regarding having good brakes is well put. Drum brakes fade quickly at higher speeds. High speeds also demand top condition front ends, too.

[AnthonyG]

Welcome to the FB, great source of knowledge and interesting chats. While I'm not sure how old / new your tires are? If you need to change them anyway or a cheap way to increase speed to rpm factor and that gives it a nice look is to go from your 600 rear tires to 750's. it will increase your speed at the same rev approx. 20%. I'e. if 50 mph at 3000 rpm becomes 60mph. Or the 3000 will be reduced to 2400 at 50mph. I do agree with most indicating your top speed with 4:11 s/b over 50. Should do 70 to 80 with the fresh rebuild. Perception can fool you, depending on your muffler even 2700 rpm can sound like it's revving pretty high when in actuality it's not a bad cruising rpm at all. This sounds simple but check to see you are getting full throttle when you rev it up. Your pedal to carb linkage may be messed up so you not getting full throttle when floored.

[Bruce in southern OH]

Welcome, lots of information on the barn, enjoy your car!!!!

[38 coupe]

1935coupe please post pictures of your Mitchell installation. Several of us are interested in floor to overdrive clearance.

[Kerk]

I called Mitchel on 12-11-14 and the cost is $ 2400 + $ 150 shipping with a 10 to 12 weeks delivery time after a deposit of $ 350 . Am thinging of for my 35 P.U. and do not expect any clearance issues. Just currect info. good luck.

[Ianrhall]

$2500!! Bit more than I had in mind!
Ian