opinions on pinions

[gpits68]

with a lot of model a parts out there,there are good parts and there are not so good parts.i am looking to rebuild my Model A rear and need to replace the ring gear and pinion.are the aftermarket ones available up to par?any input is appreciated.
gary

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Buy it from a larger vendor such as Snyders, Berts, or Brattons and you will be OK. Are you considering a 3.54 since you are going through all of this?

[gpits68]

not sure yet,i have been steering towards the standard ratio.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by gpits68

not sure yet,i have been steering towards the standard ratio.

The work is the same for either ratio, and for not a lot more money I think you would like the faster ratio. While the increase does not sound like much, it does make a difference. Others may chime in as well.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I agree with Brent, and I'd even consider going with the 3.27 ratio.

[Frank Miller]

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If it is going in the roadster definitely get the 3:54. The 3:27 depends on how good your engine is and if there are a lot of hills in your area.

[V4F]

3.54's are worth at least 5 mph .......... steve

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by gpits68

not sure yet,i have been steering towards the standard ratio.

I have a 3.54 in my '31 RDPU and definitely like it better than the 3.78. Well worth the small amount of additional cost.

Charlie Stephens

[SteveB31]

To answer your original question, yes, the new gears are of good quality. $500 per set, all USA made. I agree with the others, buy 3.54 gears and enjoy the ride. For months the 3.54 gears were not available, but they are not available again.

Steve Becker
Berts Model A Center

[darrylkmc]

Back in the early '80, while building a '31 Pick-Up, I installed 3.54 gears. Once I was able to drive it I realized within 24 hours that I had made a mistake.
3.54 ratio might be alright for flatlanders or modified drivetrains, but for stock Model A's 3.78 was a wise choice by Ford.
3.54 gears will fall on its face on steep hills and increase speed travelling down the other side resulting in overuse of your brakes. This is not the case with 3.78.

Darryl in Fairbanks

[columbiA]

If you have a roadster or OCPU then I think the 3.54 would be the way to go.If you have a 4DR sedan,then stick with the 3.78 gears.If you install an overdrive,then use 4.11 gears & have more power on hills & more speed for cruising.On my coupe & s/w sedan I have4.11,s & 2.94 in OD,& at 60 mph you are just loafing along.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

The work is the same for either ratio, and for not a lot more money I think you would like the faster ratio. While the increase does not sound like much, it does make a difference. Others may chime in as well.

I might be wrong, but i think the 3:54 ratio is even cheaper than the standard ratio. But its been a while since i looked at the numbers.

[Purdy Swoft]

I feel that 3.78 is the best gear ratio for the model A. It may run a little faster with a 3.54 if you've got enough horses to kick it, but you will lose pep and hill climbing ability no matter what. My model A's are just fun cars. I feel that 50-55 mph is about as fast as I would want to cruise for any distance in a model A. A person would be very lucky to survive a wreck in a model A at speeds of 60 mph or better. A stock model A, in good condition, should run over 60 mph if the timing is set correctly. I do run high compression heads and other mods to improve hill climbing and driveability but not for more top end . If I need to get somewhere in a hurry, I prefer the comfort and safety of our modern vehicle. You will have to be more carefull with higher gear ratios, not to lug the engine and damage the babbit bearings. To me, low and mid range power is more important than higher top speed. With a stock 40 horsepower engine you would be lucky if a higher gear ratio would actually give any increase in speed.

[columbiA]

My parts vendor has 3.54 R&P gears for $420 & 3.78 R&P,s for $530.While a stock A should be able to run 60 mph,I prefer to run that speed in OD with the RPM the same as at 43 in high gear.My S/W sedan with stock engine will cruise nicely at 55+ in OD in the hilly area I live in.It will not pull as many hills in OD as my coupe as it has a33 B w/a Brumfield head.Years ago I drove a 28 phaeton across the Rocky Mtns on hiway#1 with a 2-port Riley on a stock A block & it would pull every hill in OD @ 60.