Trips
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 46
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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
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 196
From: Wilton Ca.
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; Mar 30, 2015 at 12:46 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
Tom
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 957
Likes: 38
From: Morristown MN
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; Mar 29, 2015 at 08:37 AM. Reason: Oops.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,389
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From: northern california
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
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 42
From: Staten island New York
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
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 867
Likes: 260
From: Hinesville, GA & Oswego, NY
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
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,252
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From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,073
Likes: 413
From: Maine
Our engines love 3,000 - 3,500 all day long
Original engine with 300,000 miles on it
Jack
Last edited by Jackfit; Mar 30, 2015 at 03:20 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,786
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From: Park Bench #805 NE Indiana
It's 350 miles for me to Mackinaw City.
-Bruce
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Birmingham Mi
I checked this show after the OP's post and I'm considering going. Do you attend or plan to attend?
Rick
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,372
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From: Clarksville TN
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!!!!
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 361
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