Rear end opinion wanted
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 227
From: Wisconsin
Rear end opinion wanted
Just looking to get so reassurance that i am going in an ok direction. I have a 69 442. I swapped in a stock 455. It had a th350 trans, and a chevy 10 bolt with 3.08 gears. I plan to run it for a summer or two as is. I am just curious if the gearing will be an issue.
Thanks,
Bob
Thanks,
Bob
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 12,655
From: Evansville, IN
Depending on the health of the 455, you may have trans problems a ways down the road if you beat on it. 3.08 was the factory standard ration for automatic 442s that year, so that is how it was intended by default. I don't think you'll hurt that rear with a stock 455.
It will go down the road fine, and it should be good from a stop. It won't be ridiculous, you'd need 4's for that, but it will be fun and reliable.
It will go down the road fine, and it should be good from a stop. It won't be ridiculous, you'd need 4's for that, but it will be fun and reliable.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,061
From: central Indiana
The 8.5 10 bolt is plenty stout. I have a friend with a twin LS 71 Camaro that ran in the high nines with a 8.5 and a spool. He did tear up the aftermarket gears, put the stock 3.08 gears back in to finish the year. The following year he went with a 9 inch.
The TH350 if in good condition will handle some serious abuse with the right parts. At the minimum, install a shift kit. If your rebuilding it, there are some cheap upgrades that will help it live.
The TH350 if in good condition will handle some serious abuse with the right parts. At the minimum, install a shift kit. If your rebuilding it, there are some cheap upgrades that will help it live.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,467
From: Harrison, Michigan
I have a 71 Cutlass with 2.56 gears which is super doggy off line. I had a 65 Dodge with 3.90 gears which was great off the line but revved too high above 60 mph. I also had a 70 Vista Cruiser with 3.08 gears- loved it. I think 3.08's are a great mostly street use gear.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,515
From: South River, New Jersey
hope so...
Well I am hoping the 3.08s are good with the 455 as I have the bop rear with 3.08s except mine has the m-20 4 speed, that has a lower first gear I understand, fingers crossed.
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,558
From: central massachusetts
eddie,i wouldn't get my hopes up for being happy with the 3.08 with the m20,imo 3.23s aren't even a good match with that trans.3.42 would be good or if you can find maybe a super t-10 that has a lower 1st gear.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,061
From: central Indiana
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Braceville, Ohio
You didn't say if it was a posi or not. Either will hold up fine unless you do the burnout circles like the jackass' do on TV. If you do burnouts, straight line only. Slicks can be hard on the spider gears after a while. I'd take a 8.5 with bolt in axles over a corporate 12 bolt C clips every time.
MOTORHEAD
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 7,852
From: minnesota USA
# 3.08 ratio will work fine with m20 and / or TH350
Last edited by 11971four4two; Dec 26, 2018 at 03:07 PM.
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