RE: IML: 70 rear axle

["Peter Engel" <peter.engel@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Keith,

I've done a 2.76 to 3.23 changeover in my 65 Dodge and the biggest change I
noticed was in engine RPM at driving speeds.  The engine really was revving
noticeable faster and annoying at highway speeds.  I didn't notice much, if
any, acceleration improvement.  Probably 2 reasons for that 1) I don't drive
any of my cars like drag racers.  I'm sure that a time trial would show an
improvement. 2) the high torque output of the 383/413/440 makes the lower
numeric ratio (2.76 or 2.94) possible while providing good takeoff
performance (and quiet highway operation).

In my opinion you're wasting your time if you change your 2.94 to a 3.23.
I've never found my 70 LeBaron to lack in performance.

Also, be careful in your desire for a sure grip rear axle.  In my experience
these are more hassle than they're worth for a big, heavy car.  First of
all, how are you driving to worry about rear tire spin in a 5000# Imperial?
Second, the "posi" will come back to bite you in the butt in snow or other
slippery conditions.  Instead of the "loose" wheel spinning, both WILL
spin... and the back end of the car will shift sideways toward the downhill
side.  Right into a curb or ditch.  At least that's been my experience.
Very unnerving to have 15' of Imperial behind you "kick out."

Pete in PA

PS: my 70 had a very noisy rear end when I bought it.  It sounded like I was
running old style true snow tires.  A quick bit of diagnosis revealed that
the bearing on the AXLE shafts were bad.  The differential assembly was just
fine (and still is 20 years later).

From: <kmoore12@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: IML: 70 rear axle
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2005 07:22:15 -0500
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Hey everyone, I have an issue with my rear axle that is tearing me up. I =
need to replace the bearings ( sounds like a church choir in my trunk ) =
and I would like to install taller gears and a limited-slip diff while I =
am in there. Here is my problem: I would like to go from the current =
2.94 to a 3.23 for a little extra "go" and better towing capabilities. =
If my calculations are correct, that would be an increase of =
approximately 200 rpm at 65 mph. Will that increase make my highway =
hauler not so highway. My main goal with this car is road trips. And one =
last question: Is rebuilding an axle difficult? I rebuilt my =
transmission myself ( with a little help from my brother ) and that was =
easy.

  Keith

P. S. I want to thank everyone for their support. I was asking a few =
weeks ago if I should keep her or set her up for adoption. As you can =
see, I am keeping the little @!&^%$(&^...........



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