i have a 52 chevy 2 door 216 3 speed that is geared like a sherman tank it cruises at 50 mph motor is just humming can you order differnt gears or what differnt gear options were there back in the day i like the car alot but feel guilty driving it everyday hearing that motor reving like that any help would be great thanks Don
3 speeds have 4.11 gears, I'm pretty sure powerglide cars have 3:55. there was overdrives available for these cars (3 speed ) though they are pretty rare
yes, you can put a rear out of a 49-54 that was equipped auto and you'll go faster. patrick dykes sells gears for em too 3:55-1, but they aint cheap!
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=311202&highlight=chevy+powerglide+gears http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=317026&highlight=chevy+powerglide+gears
My old 51 hardtop with the stock 216, 3spd would run 65-70mph all day with 205/75/15 tires. It was screaming, but I couldnt get it to miss a beat. Maybe I just had a good one.
Like has already been said, the complete powerglide torque tube rear, is the easiest way to go. And is a easy drop in swap. And like DRUGASM said I run taller tires on the rear also, to help a little. But these old splash oilers, will take a lot more, than most people, will give them credit for. Just keep them full of oil, at all times, and where I live in a mountainous area, I sometimes keep mine a quart over full. Shadetree
Thanks guys, i have a tall tires on the back, mine will go 70 if you wind it up but it likes to cruise at 50 thanks again