Trips
03-28-2015, 01:07 PM
#1
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Trips
I have a 1964 with a 327-365 hp 4-speed with a 3/70 rear end.Iam going to Mackinaw city this Aug for a vette show Should I be Cocerned about the 3/70 rear end & how fast to drive The engine is rebuilt% ihave new tires
03-28-2015, 01:34 PM
#3
Melting Slicks
My '66 L79 3.70 rear with M20 cruises nicely at 70 @ around 3400rpm. It seems some guys worry about running for long distances at that high of an rpm. Personally, I've always felt that the chevy small block motors, especially the 283 & 327's, run best at a higher rpm and one of the worst things you can do is to lug them. Yeah, you'll burn more fuel but so what? I'll probably get some flack for this, but I just don't get it when people install a 6 speed (5 speed yes) so they can run @ 1200 rpm at highway speed!
Gary
Gary
Last edited by Gary's '66; 03-30-2015 at 12:46 PM.
03-28-2015, 09:11 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
I've driven my '62 from home to Des Moines for the Good Guys events. Around 200 miles one way, and with 3.36 gears ran 3100 rpm's down the interstate.
Spent a Saturday morning over the winter putting 3.08 gears in. Brought the rpm's down to 2700 at 70+ mph. Heading to the Indianapolis GG show in June. Yes, I lost a little fun factor, but we do more highway driving than anything.
If you are too concerned, pick up a set of 3.08's for the trip. Can easily be swapped out again.
Just my .02.
Mike
Realized I missed the year of your car til I re-read your post. Won't be quite as easy on your vehicle as it was on mine.
Spent a Saturday morning over the winter putting 3.08 gears in. Brought the rpm's down to 2700 at 70+ mph. Heading to the Indianapolis GG show in June. Yes, I lost a little fun factor, but we do more highway driving than anything.
If you are too concerned, pick up a set of 3.08's for the trip. Can easily be swapped out again.
Just my .02.
Mike
Realized I missed the year of your car til I re-read your post. Won't be quite as easy on your vehicle as it was on mine.
Last edited by mcb55-210; 03-29-2015 at 08:37 AM. Reason: Oops.
03-29-2015, 07:49 AM
#6
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C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
I don't know how far you are driving, but consider this: When I drove my FI '60 from South Carolina to California as part of a job relocation, it had 4.11 gears. I drove the posted speed limits and the car made the trip just fine.
If your trip will be shorter than mine was, and if your engine is in good shape, I'd say you are good to go.
Jim
03-29-2015, 07:55 AM
#7
Team Owner
How do you think people traveled with these cars in 1964 ?
There were no 'back up' vehicles with computer controlled 8-speed transmissions that could park themselves.
There were no 'back up' vehicles with computer controlled 8-speed transmissions that could park themselves.
03-29-2015, 10:47 AM
#12
Drifting
my 61 has 3:08 set now .I have used all three stock 3:70 and 4:11 gears all on long trips 500 miles and better ! .I miss the lower gears for fun blastoffs but the 3:08 is nice at 75 mph in modern day traffic .
without question any small bock especially the L 79 cam shaft run better at 2800/3000 rpm range .enjoy your trip
without question any small bock especially the L 79 cam shaft run better at 2800/3000 rpm range .enjoy your trip
03-30-2015, 12:36 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Hinesville, GA & Oswego, NY
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I drive my 60 vette, 270, 3.70 rear gear to my summer place in upstate NY every year or so, it is a little over 1000 miles, it takes between 16 and 17 hours. On the interstate I usually drive 70 to 75 MPH and the tach reads between 3200 and 3600 RPM, i still run bias ply tires, and stop regularly for fuel. Bill
03-30-2015, 12:45 PM
#14
Race Director
I drive my 60 vette, 270, 3.70 rear gear to my summer place in upstate NY every year or so, it is a little over 1000 miles, it takes between 16 and 17 hours. On the interstate I usually drive 70 to 75 MPH and the tach reads between 3200 and 3600 RPM, i still run bias ply tires, and stop regularly for fuel. Bill
Drove my 1969 390 AMX about 1000 miles across the USA with 3:70 rear gear and F70-14 inch tires. Running about 3200-3500 RPM throughout the trip. Occasional bursts to redline
No issues except gas milage. 
Larry
03-30-2015, 02:10 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
Our engines love 3,000 - 3,500 all day long
Original engine with 300,000 miles on it
Jack
Last edited by Jackfit; 03-30-2015 at 03:20 PM.
03-30-2015, 03:02 PM
#17
Safety Car
It's 350 miles for me to Mackinaw City.
-Bruce
03-30-2015, 06:35 PM
#19
Drifting
As a matter of fact, we are in the midst of a 1500 trip right now! We left Nashville, TN last week and we're cruising around south GA and northern FL for a few weeks. Our 66 L79 3.70 consistently gets about 16 mpg cruising at maybe 2700 rpm all day long. The sound from the side pipes is so sweet! I installed a Steeroids non-power kit just before the trip and love the new feel. As a bonus, I'll be ordering a 2016 ZO6 as soon as we get back home. It is so cool to cruise all of these backroads in a classic car!!!!
03-30-2015, 06:47 PM
#20
