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I just bought a 1977 L82, 3 speed auto. Running it runs 3500rpm at 65mph. Is that to be expected or is the rear end gear ration to low for highway use?
I just bought a 1977 L82, 3 speed auto. Running it runs 3500rpm at 65mph. Is that to be expected or is the rear end gear ration to low for highway use?
3.55 rear gear will get you that RPM. I am installing an OD trans to remedy this in the Spring!!
Seems like that would be close for 2nd gear if it has a 3.08 rear end.
I don't know what the 4.11 RPM @ 65 MPH would be for 3rd gear but maybe that's also close.
Seeing now what widowmaker221 said, info I collected before says
3.55: 2830 @ 65
My car, a '77 L48 with TH350 Auto., does about 2700 RPM @ 65. It apparently has a 3.36 rear end, the original steel type was replaced with aluminum 1980-82 "batwing" type.
Last edited by LongRoadHome; Oct 4, 2016 at 04:12 PM.
My 78 L82 (now a 350 crate) runs same 3500 RPM at 65. I've got a 3.70 rear. I thought it seemed high when I first drove it, but it appears to be inline.
It's a 4 speed, OD would sure be nice for better road manners on longer highway trips.
Reading back here no one mentioned possibility of speedometer being inaccurate. Mine is off by about -3 MPH apparently from changed rear end gear.
I just got back into this stuff this year, not something a paid much attention to when I was a teenager and much less (not at all) thereafter. So I'm really way out of the loop on things.
I'm not understanding the reason for the widely varying numbers for RPM for similar gearing. The 4-speed manual has 1:1 4th gear equal to TH350 3rd, or is there another difference I wasn't aware of? Besides Automatic torque converter "slippage".
A while ago I was using the following web pages to help understand what was available on these cars:
Reading back here no one mentioned possibility of speedometer being inaccurate. Mine is off by about -3 MPH apparently from changed rear end gear.
I just got back into this stuff this year, not something a paid much attention to when I was a teenager and much less (not at all) thereafter. So I'm really way out of the loop on things.
I'm not understanding the reason for the widely varying numbers for RPM for similar gearing. The 4-speed manual has 1:1 4th gear equal to TH350 3rd, or is there another difference I wasn't aware of? Besides Automatic torque converter "slippage".
A while ago I was using the following web pages to help understand what was available on these cars:
Home buttons there go to all other info about the C3 cars.
I had my wife follow behind me in her car. When I reached 3500 RPM I varified the speed. I reacently varified I have a Tubo 350 transmision. I have a lot of hydrolic stearing and engine oil leaks so I am still having trouble varifing the gears on the rear end. Im glad to know at least there is nothing drasticly wrong with the drive train.
In 77 if you ordered a L82, auto, the standard rear was 3.55. So unless you feel someone changed it that is what you have.
I think the tach is off. When I went on a dyno the operator said my tach was off @200rpm. At 70 it was reading close to 3500. See the dyno sheet showing @3300 for my 3.70 rear.
In 77 if you ordered a L82, auto, the standard rear was 3.55. So unless you feel someone changed it that is what you have.
I think the tach is off. When I went on a dyno the operator said my tach was off @200rpm. At 70 it was reading close to 3500. See the dyno sheet showing @3300 for my 3.70 rear.
Thanks to all of you... I just bought the car. It looked good at first but the more i drive it the more concerns I have. Blowing oil at 4000 rpm. Think it was because the trany was over filled. Hydrolic pump threads were striped when they cross threaded the main hydrolic steering line. It leaks pretty bad. Engine leaks but not to bad. Shows 86k (+) on the odom, so it should not have that many problems that early in the game. The shocks and suspention are shot... thinking i bought a car that had some window dressings for a quick sale. Once I find the numbers on the engine I will know more. Hope they match the chassy... Still love the 77. Just going to cost some serious bucks.
I drive mine for hours at a time btwn 3500 and 4000 rpm on every road trip. I've been doing this for 10 years so far and no problems. Yes, I'd love to have an overdrive 5 speed in mine, but it's not in the budget at the moment.
I drive mine for hours at a time btwn 3500 and 4000 rpm on every road trip. I've been doing this for 10 years so far and no problems. Yes, I'd love to have an overdrive 5 speed in mine, but it's not in the budget at the moment.
Seems like every time I try to run it at 4000 RPM something goes wrong. First the Alternator belt broke. Replaced that. Next the alternator started sparking. Replaced that. Next it would start smoking from under the car. That's from oil leaks but it does not smoke at 3500 RPM. Working on the leaks this weekend. Maybe one day a 5 speed!!!!