I currently am running a 350/300 small block in front of a 700r4 with 4.10 12 bolt. Will be upgrading to a 454 with about 425hp 475tq. I'm not very happy with the way the 700r4 is shifting and the large spread between 1rst and 2nd. I'm considering having the old turbo350 rebuilt and having 3:42 or 3:23's put in the rear. Car is mainly for cruising. Does this sound like a good combo or should I keep the 700r4 and change the rear to something like 3:55's? Appreciate any ideas.

A 454/TH350/3.42combo doesn't sound bad.

You could opt to put a 200 R4 behind your 454 as the gear ratios are closer than a 700 R4 but how long it will last is hard to tell. You'd probably need it built to handle the BBC.

200 R4's were found in 80's Monte Carlo SS's and Buick Grand Nationals.

How far do you plan on cruising? I like 3.73's but wish I had 4.11's now since I moved closer to the big city.

I have a 502, TH400, and 3.08 gears.
75 MPH is about 3000 RPM which is good considering my ML500 has a 5 speed auto, 3.70 gears, and does 80 MPH at 3000 RPM.
The car used to have a 3.70 rear and it was very annoying at speed. The 3.08 has improved noise levels, economy, and provides a higher top end speed. When you run a big block I believe you can get away with numerically lower gears.

Thanks for the replys. One of the hassles with overdrives is how critical the TV cable adjustment is. Its a real PITA to have to drop the trans pan to make sure the TV servo is adjusted correctly every time you remove the carb, at least according to Bowtie Overdrives. I don't drive it very far, about 30 miles round trip to the nearest crusing spots. I would like to make CB 05 or 06 though, which would be a long trip. I think the 200r4 / 3:42 would be the ideal setup. Any of the Indiana members know of a good rear end shop for the gear swap?

In had a 3.08 rear gear with my 454 / t350, was very nice on the open road. Now running a t400 and 3.70 and 26' rear street tires, and it's too much rpm for the 70mph cruise in my mind. I want a gear vendors splitter and 4.10 rear gear and 28" tire!!!!

Originally posted by Tino:
One of the hassles with overdrives is how critical the TV cable adjustment is. Its a real PITA to have to drop the trans pan to make sure the TV servo is adjusted correctly every time you remove the carb, at least according to Bowtie Overdrives. Why is that? Just asking. I went through all that procedure to start with and rightfully so. I could see it (maybe) if you swapped to a different type of carb. I've been running a BTO 700r4 for three years and have had the carb off many many times. I was always under the impression that the main issue was that the plunger was pulled all the way in at full throttle, it started to move as soon as the throttle is pressed and you had the proper arc swing. If I make any changes I always have someone press the throttle wide open then I take pliers to the end of the TV cable and make sure I can't pull it any further. BTW 3.55 gears are a good match with the 700r4. Not sure how it's gonna like that big block.

Rojo,
I was under the impression (right or wrong) that anytime you remove the carb you disturb that setting. Are you saying that's not true? Is that a set it once type deal as long as you don't change carbs?

Rojo,
I was under the impression (right or wrong) that anytime you remove the carb you disturb that setting. Are you saying that's not true? Is that a set it once type deal as long as you don't change carbs?

Tino,

I'm not going to tell you to change your ways but for "me" to say that you have to drop the trans pan just because you want to rejet your carb on the bench is crazy. If you unhook the TV cable from the carb and don't change anything I don't see any problem.

Edit: Second thought if you have one of BTO's TV systems that mount to the carb base then that might upset the calibration if the cable mount gets moved. Maybe that's where their coming from, not sure. I have the older type where the cable mounts to the intake. Hey if you find out that's the case let me know 'cause I sure wouldn't want one of those.