View Single Post
  #6  
Old 03-15-2021, 02:27 PM
lust4speed's Avatar
lust4speed lust4speed is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Yucaipa, SoCal
Posts: 8,836
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuart View Post
The hardest part may be finding a set of 3.73 gears for a full size Pontiac - that was an uncommon ratio when they were new, and i don't know if any companies are selling them now.
Yep, and anything lower than 3.42's are a pain out on the highway. Going from a higher ratio rear to those or lower will feel like you're going down the highway in 2nd gear. With the money you'd spend on gears, pick out a new converter with a slightly higher stall.

Since you are replacing the complete valve train I would suggest picking out a cam with more lift, a wider lobe separation, and a split duration profile. If you are sticking with a hydraulic flat tappet I'd be inclined to go with something like a Crower 60242 or equivalent along with their cam saver flat tappet lifters. Your machinist can pick out the associated parts. I'd also replace the valves since the original 2-piece valves have been known to come apart when subjected to higher spring pressures.

__________________
Mick Batson
1967 original owner Tyro Blue/black top 4-speed HO GTO with all the original parts stored safely away -- 1965 Catalina Safari Wagon.
The Following User Says Thank You to lust4speed For This Useful Post: