Except for the trip most of the way home after buying the GMC, I've run the
3.50 chain or Jim K's 3.55 gear set. I run at the speed limit, whatever it
is (despite many follower claims of higher). I've been from Key West, FL
to Fairbanks, AK, always towing a Honda CRV, without finding any hill that
needed below 2nd gear. I've never felt underpowered (that was NOT the
reason for the "'cause I can" installation of the Cad500). If I had a 26'
rather than my 23', I'd go with Jim K's 3.70 gear set to compensate for the
additional weight.
Ken H.
On Wed, May 13, 2020 at 1:35 AM James Hupy via Gmclist <
> I have a 1969 Dodge P.U. that was sold as a Camper Special. It came factory
> equipped with a 383
cu.in. engine, a 3 speed heavy duty torqueflite
> automatic transmission, and a 4:10 differential. Factory dual exhaust, etc.
> The first original engine ran 211,000 miles until the pre-ignition and
> detonation caused by the reformulated unleaded gasoline. I drove it 70 mph
> whenever I was on the road with the 10 foot open road camper. Didn't notice
> excessive engine noise with it, even with the 4:10 gears. Before the
> gasoline was reformulated, I consistently got 10 mpg. Never better than 8
> afterwards. Still got that truck, but it doesn't see much use these days.
> Approaching 300,000 miles.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Oregon
>
> On Tue, May 12, 2020, 9:50 PM Jim Kanomata via Gmclist <
>
> > Grant, GM did have the 3.42 on the drawing board with the 3.54.
> > Our 3.55 is the same, just an engineers rounding the numbers.
> > In 1990 Marvin Peck ( Gear Master) encouraged me to start doing a 3.70
> > ratio.
> > Only reason why we still carry the 3.55 is for people that think a 200rpm
> > makes a difference in noise.
> > Oh, we have a person in Michigan that assemble units for us.
> > We know from our customers that the lower gears DO NOT hurt the Gas
> > Mileage.
> > I have been running a 4.10 for the last 70,000 miles with my 403. I still
> > drive it 75-80mph.
> > There are several running the 4.10 and like it when they are driving
> 55mph.
> >
> > On Tue, May 12, 2020 at 9:15 PM Grant Schaffer via Gmclist <
> >
> > > I am in a quandary with a 3.55 or a 3.70. I have always thought the
> 3.70
> > > would be better especially towing. If a 5000 pound load weather a toad
> or
> > > trailer will be fine with a 3.55 then maybe the Miles Per hour is a
> > better
> > > trade off? Now if one wants to make a bet with heir buddies to put
> money
> > on
> > > a burn out in a 12,000 pound coach then certainly the 3.7 or 4.1 is the
> > > definate gear set. My hesitance is not being happy with the 3.55 or the
> > > 3.7.
> > >
> > > Anything above 65 in with the 3.70 will be above 2800 rpms an thus
> engine
> > > noise. I would suggest with my new rebuild and now adding fuel
> injection,
> > > the 3.55 may be the better deal. plus if you would like to go 70 MPH
> and
> > > keep the rpms down would also be good. Has anyone looked into the
> > > transmission and if the 3.55 is more favorable that the 3.70 for
> shifting
> > > or heat?
> > >
> > > I remember reading a article with GMCI 1995 I think, about the 3.42
> that
> > > was originally designed by GM but of course took 20 years to finally
> > come to
> > > fruition was designed for our coaches, so I would think that the 3.55
> > > would be better?
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > > Grant
> > > --
> > > 1974 GMC Sequoia 26'
> > >
> > >
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> > >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Jim Kanomata
> > Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
> > jimk
> >
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
> > 1-800-752-7502
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