Does anyone know what the stock rear end ratio for a 55 chevy sedan, 6 cyl, 3 spd manual, NO overdrive???
Don't think your first reply is correct. I don't remember there being a difference between 6 and V8 cars. The difference was the transmission selected. 1955s and 1956s were geared as follows: 3 speeds were 3.73 (or was it 3.70?) ODs were 4.11 Powerglides were 3.56 In 1957 when they changed to smaller diameter 14" tires they were as follows: 3 speeds were 3.56 ODs were still 4.11 Powerglides were 3.36 All my experience has been with east coast cars, and over the years I've probably owned 50+ of them.
I don't remember a 3.08, but I'm not saying that there wasn't one. Although, the ill-fated Turboglide might have received that gear.
The third member is interchangeable from 1955 to 1964. You could have any ratio that was available in the period.
My brother bought a stone-stock 55 210 in the early 60's that ran a six with a straight three speed. It had 4:11's in it. Made a very interesting car when he slipped a 195 horse 265 in front of the three speed. Don
My folks bought a new '55 Bel-Air 2-dr hardtop. Six with 3-speed, it was a 3.73 (or was it a 3.70? Whatever, that's no difference). I ran it back and forth to college on the New York State Thruway in the late 60's. I'd run 70-75 mph for 130 miles with that 235 six screaming. I eventually put in an OD and kept the same gear. It was off to the races!! I'd then run 80 mph effortlessly and pull down about 20 mpg. Saved money on gas so I could buy more beer.
Ya' know, I think you're right. I think the 3.23 I was thinking about was the gear in the only new car I ever bought. A '69 4-speed Road Runner.
I had a 55 Chevrolet ( didn't almost everyone ? ) .....and bought it from the original 1st owner. The elderly lady owned it for 25 years prior to selling it to me. It was a 150 series, 2 door with a 6 and a manual shift. It came from the factory with a 3.70 ratio. Just about the best car I ever owned...... I paid her $150 for it in 1970
my car had a 3.55 in it, with a 6 cyl 3 spd. and out automatic parts car as a 3.36. Dont go to hard on it..cuz it'll blow!! kev.
wanta a 3:08? look under 60 up PG cars .maybe 59's too,Thats where i got my sets , Modified driver is dead on correct on tri fives, I'm replacing my 4:11's w 3:55's (3:56?) out of 57 6/stick car.they are not as tinny as you might think 409 cars still used these same rears, In drag racing use a posi.,Translate that as big $$$$ ,not cheap them old posi's right now I have- 3:08's -2 sets 3:36 2 sets 3:55 1 set 4:11 1 set
I "DO" remember a difference between V8 and 6 cyl cars. I remember scouring the junkyards for 6 cylinder cars to find 4.11s in some of them. But, i did do a lot of drugs back then..................
According to my 1929-1957 Chevrolet Parts manual, the following gear ratios were available in 1955 passenger cars (doesn't include Corvette or trucks): Passenger car (except PowerGlide & overdrive trans.): 10x37 (3.70:1) " " (with PowerGlide): 9x32 (3.56:1) " " (with overdrive): 9x37 (4.11:1) No differentiation is made between 6 cyl & 8 cyl cars and no other ratios are noted as being available in 1955.
55 with 3 speed was 3:70 Great gear as I have in my 55. Loves to cruise about 3500 rpm's. 3:08 didn't appear till later. There is a code of 2 letters on the right front of the pumpkin which tells you what the original ratio of that pumpkin would be.
Codes aren't needed! Mark an axle/backing plate and the pinion/housing with chalk or a grease pencil...Hold the other axle from turning...rotate the marked axle TWO full turns but not more, while counting the pinion revolutions. Just over 3 will be 3.08 Just over 3 and 1/2 will be 3.56 Almost 3 and 3/4 will be 3.70 4 and a little bit will be 4.11 TWO turns on the axle to compensate for the spider gears turning and if its a POSI leave both wheels free to turn and just spin the axle one turn as the spider gears aren't being used. (An open rearend WILL give a false measurement if you don't lock one wheel due to movement inside the differential)
they will be 2 letters stamped on the housing. If interested post them and I will see if my book has the codes listed.
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