New to me--3.455:1 rear end ratio

[Mike E.]

Never saw this before; unmolested 62 with two ratio tags, one at the 10 o'clock position, another at 1 o'clock. One 3.55, the other 3.36. The car is an unmolested original with 3:36 open rear end coded and cast right for the car. (original 3rd member for sure).
left rear (1).jpgright rear (10).jpg

[Loren L.]

Re: New to me--3.455:1 rear end ratio

Monday build?

[Terry D.]

Re: New to me--3.455:1 rear end ratio

Agree with Loren, or a Friday afternoon. Just curious Mike when you say unmolested do you mean all original from the original owner? Is it possible it was in the Chevy store for rear end service in it's youth? My dad ran a Chevy store in the late 50's and 60's and some of the mechanics left a lot to be desired. Then again some of the things that came off the transporter were pieces of work also.

Terry

[David B.]

Re: New to me--3.455:1 rear end ratio

Mike,
It appears you are trying to start a fire AGAIN on tags & rear axle ratios. Since you claim this is an unmolested 62 non posi I presume either powerglide or 3 spd. with both tags located in wrong place, would suggest assembly worker at Detroit Gear & Axle was a rookie unfamiliar with his new job assignment.

[Mike E.]

Re: New to me--3.455:1 rear end ratio

Dave, 250hp 3-speed with original vr, coil, starter, rear, tranny, motor, etc. built in July 1962. Perfect time for a summer rookie to be filling in on the line. I was one of those years ago, working on the line at Dana in Ft Wayne. There were more than a couple of screw ups by the college kids. Like Posi tags on non-posi units, etc. I'm away from home and all my literature, but couldn't a base-motor 4-speed also have a 3:36?

[James G.]

Re: New to me--3.455:1 rear end ratio

When in doubt, pull it apart and count the teeth on both gears . I vote for 3:36 open with base engine, 3 speed.

[Loren L.]

Re: New to me--3.455:1 rear end ratio

Before you do that, either spin the rear wheels in 4th and count the driveshaft turns or hook up the tach /speedo and go 60 mph in 4th and read the RPM.

[David B.]

Re: New to me--3.455:1 rear end ratio

Mike,
Base motor 4 speed non-posi in all liklihood would have had RPO-203 (3.08 axle ratio) If you notice in 62 production numbers I sent to you there were 1,110 62 Corvettes with this non-posi ratio. Of course a buyer could have ordered anything he wanted but if he did not ask I would guess this is the ratio the factory would have installed.
No surprise on the 3.36 ratio as you described on this car, Loren's method to verify is best way, you can always depend on him to take the easiest route.

[Terry D.]

Re: New to me--3.455:1 rear end ratio

Loren
Isn't it a bit difficult to turn the tire over when in gear? I always put the car in neutral and spun the drive wheel, lot easier

[Mike E.]

Re: New to me--3.455:1 rear end ratio

CA stamping. Definitely a 3.36 ratio. 3-speed still in the car also. Did the rotate the wheel and watch the driveshaft--have done that many times. Only thing unusual is the extra 3.55 tag.

[Loren L.]

Re: New to me--3.455:1 rear end ratio

Dave, you woke me up from my nap, again. You still owe me a rerun on the red pace car...... Terry, you're right, of course.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: New to me--3.455:1 rear end ratio

Dave, 250hp 3-speed with original vr, coil, starter, rear, tranny, motor, etc. built in July 1962. Perfect time for a summer rookie to be filling in on the line. I was one of those years ago, working on the line at Dana in Ft Wayne. There were more than a couple of screw ups by the college kids. Like Posi tags on non-posi units, etc. I'm away from home and all my literature, but couldn't a base-motor 4-speed also have a 3:36?

MIKE
I built a lot of the carrier & case patterns for the Dana Fort Wayne plant starting in 1963. My brother also worked there in the summers when he was going to IU. He worked in heat treat. He married the daughter of the union rep Jim W.

[Mike E.]

Re: New to me--3.455:1 rear end ratio

Ken,
Small world. I went to Concordia Senior College there, pitched semi-pro baseball for Glenbrook Mall, and married a girl from New Haven. Worked Dana assembly line the summer of 1969. Lived on east Wayne street and it was dicey getting to work during some of the race riots.

[Tom P.]

Re: New to me--3.455:1 rear end ratio

Mike,
I haven't been on here for a while and I just saw your inquiry about the ratio tags (2 on one rear).
I have seen this before--------------------on what APPEARED to be an unmolested, virgin rear. If I remember correctly, it was a 62-64 pass car.

Next, why does everyone say to count the teeth (if the rear is out) to determine the ratio?????? The teeth numbers are already stamped on the head of the pinion gear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do people not know this-----------------ESPECIALLY NCRS people who are supposed to be the gospel when it comes to Corvette facts????????????????????