1962 Lark rear end ratio question.

[1962larksedan]

OK: I took a peek at the tag (and counted the wheel/pinion revolutions as well) and my car has a 3:31 final drive ratio. What I find odd is it was a 259 3 spd/OD car; I thought they all came with ca. 3:50 or numeric higher gear sets. Note my diff is a Dana 27.

[Chucks Stude]

Is the OD hooked up? It looks like a 3:54 or higher is needed, that running a 3:31 with OD, you are lugging the engine, especially if you are running 215/75/15 tires. IIHO.

[starliner62]

My Lark has a 3:07 rear gear with 3 speed/od. Of course, I put the OD in the car and it does need a little more gear.

[53k]

OK: I took a peek at the tag (and counted the wheel/pinion revolutions as well) and my car has a 3:31 final drive ratio. What I find odd is it was a 259 3 spd/OD car; I thought they all came with ca. 3:50 or numeric higher gear sets. Note my diff is a Dana 27.

The standard ratio for an o/d-equipped car was 3.73 for your Lark, but you could order a pretty wide range of ratios. Maybe the car came from the flat lands where hill handling wasn't an issue. Earlier cars like '50 Champions had a 4.56 rear for o/d.

[1962larksedan]

Thanks for your replies; everyone.

Note the original powertrain is gone since I've swapped in a 350/TH350 so I'm quite glad that I 'only' have a 3:31 diff. The car was sold new here in the Phx area hence the low numeric ratio on an OD car.

[candbstudebakers]

Like others have said most overdrive cars used a higher gear I have seen 3:54, 3:73, 4:10 but keep in mind the age of the car and maybe some one had changed it year back for one reason or another, my 63 Standard came from the factory with a 259 V-8 and 3 speed w/o overdrive and a 3:07 rear end, so it goes to show you what others might order, I got my car from the original owner and rear end and trans were still original but engine had been changed in 1974 when the owner wore out the 259 he went to the dealer in Oakland, California Milton Motors and ordered a 289 short block that came from standard surplus, when he got it he installed it with his heads, 2 bld. carb and single exhaust. After I bought it and started to make changes to it I found they had given him a R-1 short block for the same price $175.00 if I remember right I have the paper work some place here, it just goes to show you things do and can change.