55 Studebaker truck

[05snopro440]

I did change some plans during the build. The '91 Caprice still has it's 305 and 700 trans. I used a 4.3 V6 and TH400 trans in the Studebaker. The Dakota rear has 3.90 gears and I'm anxious to see how the eng/trans/rear combo does. I hope to take some road trips in it.

3.90? Is that a typo? With a TH400 and a 3.90 gear you'll be spinning way too fast at highway speeds for any long trips. You'll want an overdrive or taller gears. I don't know how tall your tires are, but I have a 31" tall rear tire (which lowers cruising RPM), 3.42 rear gears, and a TH400 and I run about 2700 RPM at roughly 65MPH. You'll be ringing that poor 4.3's neck.

 

[Dr Crankenstein]

I agree with snopro. The 3:90 gear would go well with the 700R4. Do you have the 700? It'll bolt up to the 4.3...

.

 

[thom]

MY mistake. The rear is a 2.90 NOT 3.90.
Either these buttons are too close together or my fingers are too far apart.

 

[lowbudget50]

I run a 3.73 with my 700r and love it. 80 mph is like 2200 rpm.

 

[26Troadster]

that is a lot of transmission for a 6 banger.

 

[Tripper]

I run a 3.73 with my 700r and love it. 80 mph is like 2200 rpm.

That's my fav combo!

BoB

 

[kenny c]

MY mistake. The rear is a 2.90 NOT 3.90.
Either these buttons are too close together or my fingers are too far apart.

Your fingers may be too fat.

 

[thom]

I made some progress today. Park had quit holding in the 400TH trans and it was a simple easy fix after removing the pan.
The 4.3 engine originally had an oil cooler, which I will not need so I removed the factory adapter and eliminated the cooler connections.
After a few more days like today I will be driving soon.

 

[Old Iron]

[cl[P[P[P

 

[36Binder]

I'm working on my Studebaker again. I hope to drive it soon. Here's the sinage on the doors.

That's awesome door art

 

[thom]

I have no tach, yet, but I'm liking the 2.90 gears behind the 4.3 and TH400. I can cruise at 75 MPH easily and still spin a wheel when I take off. I don't think I need to change anything.

 

[thom]

Still driving it! The '57 Chevy radiator failed so I swapped in one out of a '63 Chevy full size car and it's working good. We've had the truck on several road trips of 3 an 5 hour drives and will be going on another 3 hour trip in a couple of weeks. Only thing needed now is a new lower radiator hose before the trip.
Happy motorin' to you n your'n.

 

[26Troadster]

good to hear, get some vids on your next trip.

 

[Old Iron]

Sounds like ya have it reliable

 

[Bamamav]

that is a lot of transmission for a 6 banger.

My late son had a 85? Silverado with a 4.3 and Turbo 400 factory. He couldn't keep a transmission in it, went through two 400's before he put a TH350 in it, that surprisingly held up.....

 

[MercuryMac]

We are like vultures perched in trees waiting for the pictures and videos. Luckily, some of us, have a wee bit of patience. [ddd[dr[dr

 

[thom]

I've posted pics before but I will update with some recent ones. Nothing much has changed, except it might have a bit more patina. The door skins have "patinad" loose at the lower edge.