'63 GEAR SET
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 30
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From: BRENTWOOD MO
'63 GEAR SET
I'M NEW TO THE VETTE WORLD - JUST GOT MY FIRST - '63 CONVERTABLE. IT RUNS ABOUT 3k RPM AT 70MPH. I'M THINKING IT HAS A RACING GEAR SET. WHERE CAN I GET A BETTER CRUISING GEAR SET? WHAT SPEC'S SHOULD I BE LOOKING FOR? FORGIVE MY IGNORANCE - JUST GETTING STARTED
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
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Re: '63 GEAR SET (MIKEVOLMERT01)
What engine does it have? The solid lifter engines had short standard gears - 3.70, but five other option ratios to cover everthing from the quarter mile to the Mulsanne straight. With hydraulic lifter engines the standard gear was 3.36. One-to-one top gear and fairly short final drive gears were the norm for performance cars in that era. Suggest you buy a '63 Corvette Shop manual and '63 Assembly Instruction Manual. Joining NCRS and getting involved in local events will allow you to meet many Corvette people and learn about the cars from the old hands. Their judging manuals are also great references along with the specification guides.
Duke
P.S. It's best if you don't type in caps!
Duke
P.S. It's best if you don't type in caps!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 5
From: Wheaton IL
Re: '63 GEAR SET (MIKEVOLMERT01)
Sounds like you have a 3.36:1 in there now. The lowest factory offered rear end ratio in midyears was 3.08:1. If that doesn't cut it you need a 5 speed!
Factory available high ratios included 4.11:1 and 4.56:1.
If you want to speed vs RPM plot for the ratios - go to my website and scroll all the way down on the front page. I have a /pdf version of the '65 sales guide. It's on page 13. It's a big file
http://65corvette.nonethewiser.net/
Brian
Factory available high ratios included 4.11:1 and 4.56:1.
If you want to speed vs RPM plot for the ratios - go to my website and scroll all the way down on the front page. I have a /pdf version of the '65 sales guide. It's on page 13. It's a big file
http://65corvette.nonethewiser.net/
Brian
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 5
From: Wheaton IL
Re: '63 GEAR SET (MIKEVOLMERT01)
Miles per hour per 1000RPM in 4th gear (1:1)
3.08:1 = 25.6
3.36:1 = 23.1
3.55:1 = 22.2
3.70:1 = 21.3
4.11:1 = 19.2
4.56:1 = 17
3000 RPM puts you at 69.3 with a 3.36:1 assuming you have stock tires.
Brian
3.08:1 = 25.6
3.36:1 = 23.1
3.55:1 = 22.2
3.70:1 = 21.3
4.11:1 = 19.2
4.56:1 = 17
3000 RPM puts you at 69.3 with a 3.36:1 assuming you have stock tires.
Brian
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 30
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From: BRENTWOOD MO
Re: '63 GEAR SET (Allcoupedup)
Good stuff.....Thanks....Looks like it's not a racing set. This is a NOM car. So far my reseach tells me the intake manifold, exhaust manifolds, and carb are correct. The engine looks like a '70 327 - according to the number. I didn't realize the axle ratio options would be so close. I'll have to watch more closely the next time I go for a ride. I suspect it's either the 3.36:1 or 3.55:1
I'm not used to finding such a wealth of information. My other fun car is a '60 t-bird convertable I've had it 23 years....can't find much on that car......
I'm not used to finding such a wealth of information. My other fun car is a '60 t-bird convertable I've had it 23 years....can't find much on that car......
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 12,712
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Re: '63 GEAR SET (MIKEVOLMERT01)
If the speedo gears are correct for the axle:
Axle ratio = revs @60 / 760.
760 is the revs per mile spec of the OE 6.70-15 tires. This relationship holds regardless of the actual installed tire revs per mile as long as the speedo has not been corrected for the error that would be induced if different revs/mile tires are installed.
If the tach redline is 5300 it was originally a 250 or 300 HP hydraulic lifter engine. Standard axle was a 3.36, and if a four-speed it would be the "wide ratio" type recognizeable by a big 3/4 gap. If you shift 3-4 at 3000 in third, the revs will pick up at 2000 in fourth. By comparison, the spread between 1/2 and 2/3 is much closer.
Duke
Axle ratio = revs @60 / 760.
760 is the revs per mile spec of the OE 6.70-15 tires. This relationship holds regardless of the actual installed tire revs per mile as long as the speedo has not been corrected for the error that would be induced if different revs/mile tires are installed.
If the tach redline is 5300 it was originally a 250 or 300 HP hydraulic lifter engine. Standard axle was a 3.36, and if a four-speed it would be the "wide ratio" type recognizeable by a big 3/4 gap. If you shift 3-4 at 3000 in third, the revs will pick up at 2000 in fourth. By comparison, the spread between 1/2 and 2/3 is much closer.
Duke
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Southwest MI
Re: '63 GEAR SET (MIKEVOLMERT01)
I'M NEW TO THE VETTE WORLD - JUST GOT MY FIRST - '63 CONVERTABLE. IT RUNS ABOUT 3k RPM AT 70MPH. I'M THINKING IT HAS A RACING GEAR SET. WHERE CAN I GET A BETTER CRUISING GEAR SET? WHAT SPEC'S SHOULD I BE LOOKING FOR? FORGIVE MY IGNORANCE - JUST GETTING STARTED
