What rear axle ratio to use ??

[1Fury1]

Fury 1 with a 318 poly turned 360 stroker and 4 speed. I'm thinking sure grip either 3.23 or 3.54 for mainly cruising and a little hot doggin. Anyone have experiences either way with this combo?

 

[1966newport]

3.54 if don't cruise over 65 mph

 

[commando1]

Drive around in 2nd gear for a week and that's what 3.55 feels like.
3.23 is good enough.

< Sent from my tablet >

 

[300rag]

3.23 in mine.

 

[1978 NYB]

3.23 is plenty......most B's and E's came with them.

 

[saylor]

yup,, do you want to go quicker, or faster ?

 

[1Fury1]

yup,, do you want to go quicker, or faster ?

Both, thats the dilemma.

 

[65Fury440]

I'm a big fan of 3.91s. If you can spin your motor around 3k on short trips that's more fun. If you want the long haul cruise go for the 3.23s

 

[Husky]

Even with the 440 I have trouble spinning a wheel with my 2.76 gears...but boy are they good on the highway

 

[theos911]

3.23 should be fine. You keep some perk at the bottom and passing power at the top.

 

[bluefury361]

I'm thinking sure grip either 3.23 or 3.54 for mainly cruising and a little hot doggin. QUOTE]

My 69 300 still has the 2:92 open diff and although great on the highway its a little sluggish around town, even with the 440. I'm upgradeing to a 3:23 sure grip.
Hwy mileage might drop off a little but stop and go mileage should improve. Seems like a good tradeoff to me.

A 3:55 is not a great hwy gear and a 3:91 is only good for stop light to stop light..... or just racing.

 

[1Fury1]

Thanks for all the input. I'm leaning toward 3.23 since this car isn't a 1/4 miler. I do want to be able to drop the clutch and make smoke but at the same time don't want to be 3500-4000 rpm down the highway at 70. Looks as though most 4 speeds were 3.23 from the factory. Automatics were more likely to have optional 3.54 especially in 66/67 B bodies.

 

[bluefury361]

Thanks for all the input. I'm leaning toward 3.23 since this car isn't a 1/4 miler. I do want to be able to drop the clutch and make smoke but at the same time don't want to be 3500-4000 rpm down the highway at 70. Looks as though most 4 speeds were 3.23 from the factory. Automatics were more likely to have optional 3.54 especially in 66/67 B bodies.

The 3:54 ratio was the lowest ratio avaliable in the Dana 60 rears and was standard equip in all 66-71 440 & hemi engines with 4 speed trans. The optional ratio in a Dana was the 4:10.
Anything less then the 440 & hemi equipped cars, (383, 340, 400 engines) included an 8.75 rear diff in both HP 4 sp and automatic cars with the 3:23 as the std ratio. (sure grip was optional over that). The Dana 60 axle in both 3:54 & 4:10 ratios was optional as part of a drag pack axle package. The only torqueflight equipped car that came with a dana 60 as standard was the 1969 A12 cars and it included the 4:10 ratio.

Factory avaliable ratios for the 8.75 axle were 3:55, 3:91 and a dealer installed 4:56. Many other ratios are avaliable through aftermarket suppliers.

 

[polara71]

I have 3:23's and like them. I once had 3:73's in a 69 Sport Fury convertible, that car was fun and I didnt care how much the engine screamed or how long. Of course I was 22 years old then. I got 4 miles to the gallon, your call

 

['69FuryIIIConvertible]

Friend of mine has a '68 with 318, 727 and 8 3/4 with the same 2.76 open that I have he's had the car do over 120 like it was nothing, his exact words are that it cruises at 85, It's no Stoplight racer but isn't to bad. I'd like to Stroke my 318 to 340 in the very near future, and I'll keep an eye for 3.23 but run my open till then.

Nick

 

[tallhair]

Nick i would not spend the $ to stoke or do anything to a 318 outside of a basic rebuild with new rings, bearings, timing chain etc if it needs a freshen up and you really need to keep running the 318. If you are going to stroke or spend any real cash on a small block go with a 360 and one of the 408 stroker setups and some better heads, cam, and intake.

 

[theos911]

Lots of stuff you can do with a 318 if you want to, but most of it ends up in the "400hp and it's only a 318" category. If I were doing a mild 318 I'd probably grab a 340 cam, bump the compression, and go for a 4bbl. You can also work some 360 heads for better flow, but they'll need some alteration unless you want your compression down in the kerosene burner range. Most of this you can find in a junkyard (TQ, 340 Cam, old 360 heads) for cheap. I'd have to agree that (unless building mean 318s is your thing) if you intend to actually spend some money on the upgrade it'll go a lot further with a 360 build.

My $0.02

I'd like to Stroke my 318 to 340 in the very near future.

FWIW, a standard 340 is a bored 318, but upping the stroke in yours would give you a bit more ummpphh for those steep gears.

 

['69FuryIIIConvertible]

FWIW, a standard 340 is a bored 318, but upping the stroke in yours would give you a bit more ummpphh for those steep gears.

That's the plan ;) , I have a set of 340 heads for it and will be buying an Edlebrock intake for it, the neighbor has a Edlebrock 600 CFM 4 barrel for me. Once again, it's #'s matching and will stay that way as long as I'm not taking a Dirt nap, the 360 Dodge and 350 Chevy are two engines I hate with a Passion, I've got a 318 Dodge and 305 Chevy that I love and will Run until the a fore mentioned Dirt nap.

 

[commando1]

Those 360 Magnums don't get much love it seems....

 

[polara71]

the 360 Dodge and 350 Chevy are two engines I hate with a Passion, I've got a 318 Dodge and 305 Chevy that I love and will Run until the a fore mentioned Dirt nap.

You hate them because of their popularity. There is a reason they are loved, dont knock the 360 till you've tried it.