recommend a gear ratio
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recommend a gear ratio
my 66 F-250 300cid/C4 long bed truck currently has 4.10's in the peg leg Dana out back. great for a low speed work truck but in So Cal, to really get anywhere, I have to go freeway. sometimes for an extended distance. (100 miles or more)
the 300 being a great low speed engine really has to be pushed with the 4.10's to keep from being a road hazard at <65 mph. the one thing I've learned about the 300 from the folks here is, don't over rev it. its not built for it and the design isn't built for extended 3000-3500 rpm cruising. I'm considering going to 3.55's as a bit of a compromise between freeway and losing my nice torque advantage of the 300.
with that I wanted to get everyones thoughts in as far as how it will affect driveability, load hauling, drivetrain stress etc. as well as any alternatives.
thanks in advance
the 300 being a great low speed engine really has to be pushed with the 4.10's to keep from being a road hazard at <65 mph. the one thing I've learned about the 300 from the folks here is, don't over rev it. its not built for it and the design isn't built for extended 3000-3500 rpm cruising. I'm considering going to 3.55's as a bit of a compromise between freeway and losing my nice torque advantage of the 300.
with that I wanted to get everyones thoughts in as far as how it will affect driveability, load hauling, drivetrain stress etc. as well as any alternatives.
thanks in advance
Welder User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,269
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From: northwest MT
My '79 F250 w/300, 4 speed, and 32 in tires has 3.54 gears. It turns about 2500 rpm at 65. Right where the six likes to run.
BTW, 3-3500 rpm won't hurt the 300 a bit. Might lose some mpg's, but it will run there all day...
BTW, 3-3500 rpm won't hurt the 300 a bit. Might lose some mpg's, but it will run there all day...
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 324
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From: SoCal
I also live in So Cal and my truck has 4.11 gears. I drive a lot of freeway and I always think if I had different gear ratio I'd get better gas mileage but I do like the low end grunt the 4.11 gears provide.
I have a large motor though which helps on the freeway. 70-80 mph is no problem. 70-75 stays under 3k on the tach. For me the only downside is gas mileage. anything over 55-60 kills it and just drinks gas like a fish.
I have a large motor though which helps on the freeway. 70-80 mph is no problem. 70-75 stays under 3k on the tach. For me the only downside is gas mileage. anything over 55-60 kills it and just drinks gas like a fish.
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I'm honestly not that concerned with MPG (I drive a hemi charger that's like pouring gas into a hole and another modified big block car that IS literally pouring it into a hole), but man, that 300 really doesn't seem to want to do that freeway cruise thing really well. I'm pretty well floored at freeway speed in the slow lane. I'm kinda wondering now if the trans is slipping.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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The Husdon Hornet OHV six should be fine in the 3000s.
Have you heard of the Fabulous Hudson Hornet with a flathead 6 Twin H Power?
Those Hudsons were winning against OHV V8s with Flat sixes. The Hornets were winning into the mid 50s long after the age of the Flathead and even after Hudson ceased to be.
Hudson was planning to go OHV. The company was merged before that could happen. There was a prototype OHV 6 engine built.
Long story short....
The Hudson OHV 6 design became the Ford 240/300.
Have you heard of the Fabulous Hudson Hornet with a flathead 6 Twin H Power?
Those Hudsons were winning against OHV V8s with Flat sixes. The Hornets were winning into the mid 50s long after the age of the Flathead and even after Hudson ceased to be.
Hudson was planning to go OHV. The company was merged before that could happen. There was a prototype OHV 6 engine built.
Long story short....
The Hudson OHV 6 design became the Ford 240/300.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 324
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From: SoCal
I'm honestly not that concerned with MPG (I drive a hemi charger that's like pouring gas into a hole and another modified big block car that IS literally pouring it into a hole), but man, that 300 really doesn't seem to want to do that freeway cruise thing really well. I'm pretty well floored at freeway speed in the slow lane. I'm kinda wondering now if the trans is slipping.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 172
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From: Arizona
If it's an Auto, consider a pre-electronic AOD. Small block bell housings and 300s match bolt patterns. There might be a challenge fitting the flexplate to the torque converter though.
That and 3.55 gears would really make the truck a cruiser.
That and 3.55 gears would really make the truck a cruiser.
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the power brake conversion system should arrive tomorrow and I need that to be first on the list. getting it to move well is fine, getting it to stop well is vital so decided to start there, but laying plans for the future, I definitely think it needs some gearing adjustments of one kind or another, be it trans or rear gear.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: SoCal
it does. is yours a 6 as well? if youre cruising along at 70+ in part throttle, I definitely have some things to look at on mine. Im in the process of going over it a point at a time and am starting to find more and more things in need of adjustment and or replacement. front suspension is on that list as well if Im looking to go freeway speeds for long. (she sways like a dingy in a windstorm over about 55)
the power brake conversion system should arrive tomorrow and I need that to be first on the list. getting it to move well is fine, getting it to stop well is vital so decided to start there, but laying plans for the future, I definitely think it needs some gearing adjustments of one kind or another, be it trans or rear gear.
the power brake conversion system should arrive tomorrow and I need that to be first on the list. getting it to move well is fine, getting it to stop well is vital so decided to start there, but laying plans for the future, I definitely think it needs some gearing adjustments of one kind or another, be it trans or rear gear.
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no worries. Ive been sorely tempted to do the same. I'm a huge fan of cubic inches. my Duster hotrod has a .060 over 440 crammed in it, so....yeah. a 460/C6 combo has surely been calling my name. still, the 300 has the rep for running 'till doomsday, so that really might be the way to go here.
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