Re: Cruising speed

Posted by JWL On 2020/1/5 14:35:59

The standard axle ratio was 4.56:1. This low (high numerically) ratio limits the speed at which these cars can be driven at a reasonable engine speed. You can do some things to make them more compatible in today's traffic.

One would be to get a higher ratio differential center section. These are rare, but fit without modifications. One of these would be the best solution and reasonably priced too. I purchased one of these for my 115C, but the car was sold before I installed it.

Some have fit larger rear tires. This will give some slight improvement, but hardly noticeable.

A Packard overdrive unit will require some major alterations to the frame for the unit to fit. Plus there is the driveshaft and other items to make fit. The transmissions that had the ODs were the column shifted ones. Your cane shift top may not fit in one of these. It would be an expensive and complicated change.

There is an aftermarket supplier of overdrives. I know of a couple of senior Packards that have them fitted. They work well, but again an expensive proposition.

My 115C was a joy to drive on lightly traveled and rural type roads. The conditions that existed when these cars were new. However, driving in modern congested and fast traffic was avoided whenever possible. I got caught in some heavy freeway traffic in Austin when returning from a nearby car show. I likened it to trying to land a Piper Cub at LAX. Not fun.

I would just stick with what you've got.

P.S. Check with David Flack (The Flackmaster). He is well versed with the '37s and my have a differential for you.