[sprintbird]

Due to a 200 4R swap in my 67 Tempest wagon, I am wanting to change my gear ratio. My car has the original 8.2 axle with 3.55 gear set. I am wanting to go to a 3.90 or 4.11 by calculation for optimum performance behind my OHC 6. I have heard and read that a lot of the aftermarket gear sets make noise, even when set up properly. I want to try and avoid a noisy set, but not sure if that is possible. What ratios are available, and what brand and vendor does everyone recommend?
Thanks in advance for your input.

[lust4speed]

The lower first gear on the 200-4R already has a nice overall ratio with the 3.55.

Another thing to consider is that that while the engine is operating at a lower RPM, the 3.90 or 4.11 pinion gears will be hauling at higher cruising speeds. Going to be a lot of heat generated in the pumpkin on extended runs, and even if the rearend is quiet at first, I wonder if there might be accelerated wear? I would be inclined to stop at the 3.73 ratio.

I've had pretty good results with Yukon, mixed results with U.S. Gear, and bad results with the no-name ebay units that we tried.

[Tom Vaught]

Originally Posted by lust4speed

The lower first gear on the 200-4R already has a nice overall ratio with the 3.55.

Another thing to consider is that that while the engine is operating at a lower RPM, the 3.90 or 4.11 pinion gears will be hauling at higher cruising speeds. Going to be a lot of heat generated in the pumpkin on extended runs, and even if the rearend is quiet at first, I wonder if there might be accelerated wear? I would be inclined to stop at the 3.73 ratio.

I've had pretty good results with Yukon, mixed results with U.S. Gear, and bad results with the no-name ebay units that we tried.

X2 Lots of people miss that heat in the rear center section when they try to run around with 4.11/4.33/4.56 type gears with tall tires on the street. The really large tires (20" crap) seem to lower the temp to livable numbers.

Tom V.

[sprintbird]

My 230 does not have a lot of torque to pull the wagon through any type of hill with the 3.55's. (A 400 or 455 and the 3.55 would be a perfect gear) Are 3.73's available for the BOP axle? I appreciate all the input guys!

[Navy Horn 16]

I'm going to a 200R in the next couple of months and have 3.42s. I'll have the 2800-3000 stall that Art Carr sells the crap out of, and the rest of the tranny has all of his high performance parts as well. I've got a 469 that has put 385ft lbs to the wheels without tuning with my TH350. Hopfully that is enough torque to make up for .10-.20 points of gear ratio.