Does anyone know the best way to find out what ratio I have in the rear of my 73 L82? Not sure how many choices there were with this engine option and/or telltale signs that point to any ratio in particular.

Also, anyone know of any way to find build info on my car (I know the paint codes, etc. but I want to know the original option content). No build sheet, sticker to be found. Thanks!

 

Too be sure jack you rear tires off the ground, rotate the tire 1 revolution and count the number of times the drive shaft rotates, 3 X = 3.08, 3.5 x = 3.55, 3.75 x = 3.70, 4 x = 4.11

 

Here's another way....


*Given: 5280 feet per mile, X 12"= 63360 inches per mile
*I use "%" to indicate "divide by"
*Find wheel diameter using a level on the top of tire

To find RPM using speedo reading:
Wheel Diameter X Pi = Wheel Circumference (26 X 3.14= 81.64")
Inches per Mile % WC = Rear Wheel Rev per Mile (63360 % 81.64 = 776)
RWR/Mile X Rear End Ratio = Engine Rev per Mile (776 X 3.08 = 2390.36)
ER/Mile X Miles per Hour = Engine Rev per Hour (2390 X 75 = 179277)
ER/H % 60 Minutes per Hour = Engine Rev per Minute @ given MPH (179277 % 60 = 2988 RPM @ 75 MPH)

To find any RPM at any given trans ratio, multiply final RPM times that ratio: 200-4R overdrive of .76: (2988 RPM X .76 = 2271 RPM @ 75 MPH)

To find rear end ratio using tach & speedo:
Engine RPM @ Given MPH X 60 minutes = ERPM per Hour (2988 X 60 = 179280)
ERPHour % MPH = Engine Rev per Mile (179280 % 75 = 2390)
ERPMile % Rear Wheel Rev per Mile = Rear End Ratio (2390 % 776 = 3.08)

To verify speedo by mile markers & stopwatch:
Feet per Mile % Elapsed Seconds per Mile = Feet per Second (5280 % 30 = 176')
FPS X 60 Seconds/ Minute X 60 Minutes/ Hour = Feet per Hour (176 X 60 X 60 = 633600)
FPH % 5280 = Miles per Hour (633600 % 5280 = 120 MPH)

Example: 5280 % 55 seconds X 60 X 60 % 5280 = 65.45 MPH

Take your time, write 'em out, it's not that hard.
John

 

Try this: http://richmondgear.com/101032.html