Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-14-2014, 07:34 AM   #1
Great Lakes Greg
Senior Member
 
Great Lakes Greg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,369
Default 3.27 ratio in slow traffic

I have a lighter weight body style with a fresh build B engine. I have no doubt that a 3.27 gear would work well on the open road for me, but question its practicality on tour with "regular" cars. 80% of my driving is in groups that travel 40 m.p.h. I see this scenario causing a lot of lugging of the engine, especially on grades. Is the jump from the 3.78 that drastic, or am I making something out of nothing? Thanks fellers.
Great Lakes Greg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2014, 07:46 AM   #2
BRENT in 10-uh-C
Senior Member
 
BRENT in 10-uh-C's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,485
Default Re: 3.27 ratio in slow traffic

My opinion is you will be unhappy with it in that scenario. I use the term "unequally yoked" in that with 5 Model-A's in the group that all are shifting and accelerating at the same basic pace, you are at "odds" with them.

Unfortunately I have this same situation with my 18 y.o. son's Model-T truck. When he is by himself (--or traveling in a group with his sister, and with Pennie & I) the truck runs out really nice but when he gets in a tour environment where there are cars around him without the same power nor gearing, he is constantly running up on them and tailgating.
__________________
.

BRENT in 10-uh-C
.
www.model-a-ford.com
...(...Finally Updated!! )

.
BRENT in 10-uh-C is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 01-14-2014, 10:42 AM   #3
V4F
Senior Member
 
V4F's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: ca.
Posts: 2,522
Default Re: 3.27 ratio in slow traffic

I like 3.54 . I can run slow or moderately .
__________________
V4f
V4F is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2014, 11:01 AM   #4
Marco Tahtaras
Senior Member
 
Marco Tahtaras's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,099
Default Re: 3.27 ratio in slow traffic

I agree with Brent. Back in the 70's (before kids) we went on numerous long trips with the club. We typically traveled with a speed goal of 47 mph. Whenever we going through the mountains many of the folks would tend to fall back to the point of lugging in 3rd gear. I had 3.54 gears and would often be forced down to around 30 mph on hills which left me 'between gears', too slow to climb in 3rd and uncomfortable running steadily in 2nd. That left me with two choices. I often chose to pull out of line and run up ahead then wait which didn't please some folks but it was either that or fall back.

Even with stock gearing I wouldn't have been happy but the problem would have been slightly less frequent.
__________________
http://www.abarnyard.com/
Marco Tahtaras is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2014, 11:31 AM   #5
Great Lakes Greg
Senior Member
 
Great Lakes Greg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,369
Default Re: 3.27 ratio in slow traffic

These answers make me feel better. I have 3.54's in my Tudor and like them on tour. Not so tall as to make trouble, but there for 55 if I wish.
3.27's would probably be overkill in my situation.
Happy motoring.
Great Lakes Greg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2014, 07:32 PM   #6
Duffy1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Mo. City , Texas
Posts: 725
Default Re: 3.27 ratio in slow traffic

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
That`s what we have in our club " unequally yoked ". Folks with over drive and folks without over drive .
Duffy1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:34 PM.