I am in the process of installing a 700r4 in my '67. I'm running a sbc with about 300/325 h.p., have 26.1" tall rear tires and presently have 3.08:1 rear gears. I'm old enough that I don't go drag racing anymore (although I do occasionaly put-my-foot-into-it) and the 700r4 has a pretty deep 1st gear (3.06), so I figure getting started should be pretty effortless, even with the present 3.08's. But I usually only cruise about 65 mph and we have lots of hills & mountian passes around here. And I don't want a car that is constantly "hunting" between 3rd gear & overdrive. I don't want to smoke the tires off the rims when starting in the rain either. And I'd rather not change the rear end gears more than once if I don't have too. Any suggestions on which rear end gears will work best for my application?

Paul S.

I am facing the same problem as mine has 700r4 and 308 gears. It doesnt seem to be happy til about 75 mph. Otherwise it is constantly hunting , someone suggested 331 with a 10 bolt but I want to be sure and do this only once. any help would be greatly appreciated.I would like to replace everthing in the housing including gears and new axles since all else is new. If someone would let me know what I need I would like to order parts and install in a spare housing and just swap complete housing.

The 3.42 works well with the 700R4.

I'm running 3:31's with mine, and am very happy with the performance. I wouldn't go with anything higher than 3:31's, and no lower than 3:73's, anything within these ranges seems to work well with a 700.

my car has 3.55's and a 27" tire. the turbo 6 pull's great at any speed. never hunts at highway speeds either. had 3.70 10 bolt previous and it was nice too. tom

I have had a 700 in my 70 wagon since 03. My gear combination is excellent for a 396-454-468. I say this due to the fact I have had all three engines in front of the same 700R. I have a 3:07 12 bolt rear. NOTE this will NOT work well with a small block.
I would go with a 3:31--NO HIGHER. WHY? Torque Factor.
A big torque engine will not downshift on a 5 to 8 degree grade, A small block will. I believe a 3:31 rear with a 700 would be a good city and highway gear.
First gear in a 700 is 3:06, My 468 is turning 1950 RPMs at 72-73 MPH. I just looked at the window sticker on my 03 Silverado. It weights around 6500 Lbs. 5.3 engine (Close to a 327) The rear is a 3:73 , I have the tow Pkg. Again, I would say a 3:31 Would be a good all around gear for a 700 with a small block. J.M.O.
Bob:thumbsup:

my car has 3.55's and a 27" tire. the turbo 6 pull's great at any speed. never hunts at highway speeds either. had 3.70 10 bolt previous and it was nice too. tom

I agree with Tom. I had a Tremec 5 speed with a similar OD in my 67. I wanted a quick aggressive car around town and for "showin' off" but I wanted a cruiser on the freeway at 65 for long rides with the Chevelle club. I am now putting a 700r4 in my 65 and I will use 3.55 gears. That should give you about 2000 to 2100 rpm at 65. I think it's a good combo. 3.42 would be good too and will be a better cruiser. I happen to have 3.55s in the garage so I will use them.

Chuck