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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Locke, NY
Posts: 4
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C50 Owners
Am in the process of restoring a 1964 C50 for a tow rig. It has a 292 L6 four speed and crazy low gear rear end... Top speed seems to be about 40 mph. Wondering what others experience has been.
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#2 |
Never Ending Projects
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,836
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Re: C50 Owners
It's all a function of ratios. For an old tow rig, especially with a 6 banger, having a low top speed in return for having the pulling ability to tow is the trade off. Remember, when this was built, speeds were lower than they are today.
Only way you are going to get better top speed is to add an overdrive of some type and/or change the rear gears.
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#3 |
60-66 Nut
![]() ![]() Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Posts: 23,247
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Re: C50 Owners
Is the rear end a single speed or a 2 speed? Back when I used to drive my '63 C60 with a 292, 5 speed and 2 speed rear, I had no problem cruising 55-60.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Locke, NY
Posts: 4
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Re: C50 Owners
Mine is a Single speed rear with a four speed manual trans. Going to get a tach so I can see what kind of RPM this beast is turning. Torque is excellent because of the long stroke. What would be a reasonable max RPM for this engine? https://photos.app.goo.gl/wGBwtQPpcXrxiZXN8
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Locke, NY
Posts: 4
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Re: C50 Owners
looks like I have a 7.2 to 1 gear ratio which would explain the RPM / top speed
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...olet-Truck.pdf |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: edinburg va
Posts: 113
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Re: C50 Owners
Hi Timbercraftsman, I have a 66 l60 with 292 and 4 speed no 2 speed and 22.5 wheels,I have hit 60 on GPS but 45 seems to be it's happy place. Not sure a 2 speed rear would get any more speed just a lower range, not sure of all of our options but after a wicked panic stop with no bed on my truck I am happy for now,I am going to follow your thread, Pat
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Hancock Md
Posts: 405
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Re: C50 Owners
The 2 speed rear you would want has 7.95:1 low and 5.83:1 high range so you would have better off line power and higher cruising speed at same rpm as current 7.2:1. Looking at numbers online they also made a 8.72:1-6.4:1 rear but that wouldnt help your rpm as much. a 2 speed trans behind current 4 speed is also a option if you can find one.
RPM difference with the 7.2:1 to the 5.83:1 is around 600rpm @45mph and 800@65. If your only after a few rpm drop and are happy with off the line power then you might be able to just step tire size up a bit. |
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Tags |
brakes, c50, dump, stake bed |
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