'66 Dart Wagon - Swapping out rear end for a 8 1/4 - gear ratios????

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steck

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Hi All,

I am new to the Forum and a newbie to working on rear ends. I want to convert to front disc and go up to LBP wheels. So I am going to swap out the rear end and looking at 8 1/4.

I have found one for $500 (I am in Southern CA) that was taken out of a '74 Duster. It has a 4.10 gear. Looking at the specs of my Dart, the manual says it has 2.93 gear in the 7 1/4.

My dart is a 225 slant six. How will this 4.10 gear ratio affect overall performance of the car? Mileage, etc.

Any suggestions for a newbie.

Steck
 
Hi All,

I am new to the Forum and a newbie to working on rear ends. I want to convert to front disc and go up to LBP wheels. So I am going to swap out the rear end and looking at 8 1/4.

I have found one for $500 (I am in Southern CA) that was taken out of a '74 Duster. It has a 4.10 gear. Looking at the specs of my Dart, the manual says it has 2.93 gear in the 7 1/4.

My dart is a 225 slant six. How will this 4.10 gear ratio affect overall performance of the car? Mileage, etc.

Any suggestions for a newbie.

Steck
Gas miles per gallon will drop considerably, cruising speed will be up at least 1200 rpms. Yes, you will will feel like you could pull stumps out starting out, but engine wear will increase considerably. I would stay in the low 3’s for ratio, unless you feel like racing it.
 
3.23 great all around gear and wont rev the crap out of your engine.
 
3.23 great all around gear and wont rev the crap out of your engine.
Sounds like 3.23 is the way to go. Now I just have to find one. If I was doing mostly freeway cruising, would you still recommend the 3.23?

How of big of a job is it to swap out the 4.1 for the 3.23, if I can't find anything else?
 
Not bad at all a few hours just make sure you have a good install kit with THR RIGHT SIZE BEARINGS for the year rear. A torque wrnch and a dial indicator are a must also. We have a whole thread on this let me find it.
 
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