Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Looking for suggestions on hi-way gearing? Columbia or Gear Vendor or ??

Highway gearing is one thing, highway speeds in a '31 is a very different thing!

GREAT! Thanks..

A few here have reported good results with the Gear Vendor's overdrive. Replacing the Packard rear end with a Columbia unit would seem to me to be a complicated and expensive project. Some have mentioned having special high ratio (low numerically) gear sets (ring and pinion) made. Either way, a highway cruising gear ratio will allow your engine to run slower, and be more quiet and have less wear. You may not want to go any faster. JWL

Thanks, thinking more of reducing the wear & tear when out touring at this point. Not more speed...

If you want to go forward with this, overdrive is by far the better option, especially since you have the small 320 engine. A significantly taller rear axle, especially when combined with the fairly large diameter of your tires, and you'll find yourself downshifting to a lower gear even on modest upgrades which you used to sail over with ease in high gear. If you have one of the lighter body styles and can find a ring/pinion set of 4.07 or thereabouts, that might be a nice compromise.

What is your current rear axle ratio and tire diameter? Data for your 833 below.

My '34 Eight has the 4.69 rear axle and 7:00x17 tires. I've put about 45,000 miles on the car and have tried during that time to avoid sustained speeds over 50 mph, and it's a bit happier at about 45 mph. I got my first hint of a rod knock (babbitt beginning to fail) at about 88,000 miles.

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Good info, thanks & not sure yet on my gearing thought I have the super 8 384 cid in my coupe.