1952 F3
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 485
Likes: 32
From: Northern OR
Found this thread today - pretty interesting. But I've got a problem with the following statements:
"Top speed is about 45 mph."
"Top speed without wrapping out the 390 will be about 50 mph."
I still don't understand where some of you guys get the idea that 45-50 MPH is top speed on one these old pickups. I know that mine will go that fast fairly easy without even being in top gear. With a 31 to 32 inch tire and 4.86's, the engine would only be running 2300-2500 RPM at 45-50 MPH in high gear. With a 390 GT engine, you would still be below the peak of the torque curve at those revs. I can see where the gear changes you guys recommend would be ideal for cruising empty, flat land, and fuel economy but if you haul a load or pull a trailer, the lower gears are handy to have. If yours will only run 45-50 tops, something is definitely wrong with it!
- Bob
"Top speed is about 45 mph."
"Top speed without wrapping out the 390 will be about 50 mph."
I still don't understand where some of you guys get the idea that 45-50 MPH is top speed on one these old pickups. I know that mine will go that fast fairly easy without even being in top gear. With a 31 to 32 inch tire and 4.86's, the engine would only be running 2300-2500 RPM at 45-50 MPH in high gear. With a 390 GT engine, you would still be below the peak of the torque curve at those revs. I can see where the gear changes you guys recommend would be ideal for cruising empty, flat land, and fuel economy but if you haul a load or pull a trailer, the lower gears are handy to have. If yours will only run 45-50 tops, something is definitely wrong with it!
- Bob
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 105
Likes: 27
From: Lloydminster Ab
Gear ratios aside I suggest you do some serious research on the Dana vs Timken, have been there done that and ended up with the Dana with a 3.73 behind my stock flathead. The Timken had a habit of blowing out the pilot bearing casting area for the pinion gear with a 100 horse flathead in it. It will not do well with a 390 in front. If you choose to keep the Timken split it to see what you really have. If I were pulling anything or in a very hilly area I would have chosen a 4.10.
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