Inliners International Forums General Discussion Drive Train 64' rear end swap for C-10

Hi, Im fifteen, and I just got a 1964 c-10 chevy with a straight 6 292, its all stock, and its pretty slow , i would like to gear it up, to be able to drive the freeway W/O reving too high, and would like to just chage the rear end, and how much that would be yo gear it up, also I would like to know if gearing it up would help on gas milage. thanks

Hey dude,

Gearing it "up" could definitely help your MPGs. Just how much it improves depends on choice of ratio. If you have a half ton pickup chances are good that you have either a 3.73 or 4.11 rear end - DEFINITELY not interstate friendly gears. :rolleyes: With 3.73s you're turning about 3k rpms just to maintain 60 mph. With 4.11s you get about 52 mph at 3,000 rpms. Forget doing 65-75 for any extended period; especially with a long strong, stock 292.

3.08 would be my recommendation. You should be able to find a gear pumpkin at a local auto salvage, depending on where you're located. I believe all GM half ton truck rear ends from 64-72 will swap right in.

If you choose not to go that route you can always drop in an overdrive transmission. That way you don't have to worry about alignment and such. A mid 80s S10 or Camaro T5 5 speed will drop right in, although you may have to make some shifter adjustments if you have bench seats. I dropped in a 4 speed overdrive in my 1966 stepside and now turn about 2600 rpms at 80 mph on the interstates, so now it's very easy to ride in the far left lane; and stay at 1900 rpms on state highways and back roads at 60 mph.

-magic mike-

Hey 64crazy,

Let me know what you end up doing. I'd like to hear how it works out. I have 70 c10 with a 292, 4 spd with granny gear. Its not fun on the highway.

-magic mike- how do you tell if the gear pumpkin has 3.08s in it? What do you think of going with 3.08 with the T5 or T56? Would 2.73 and the T5 be too much(ie, make the truck an absolute dog off the line)? Do you recommend finding a new pumpkin over having the new gears install in my current rearend?

I have a '65 Pickup with a 292 and an S-10 5 speed in it. It will fit into the cast iron bellhousing you are using on your truck. Shifter clears the seat.....will have to change clutch disc. If you change the spindles on your truck (disc from 1972 to 1987)will fit but you MUST use the corresponding ball joints for the year of the spindles you are using. These guys are good on truck parts
http://www.earlyclassic.com/home.aspx
They also make dropped spindles to fit on your original suspension. You will love the 5 speed behind the 292. I also installed HEI, aluminum intake, headers and a Holley-Weber 2 BBL from Tom Langdon. Keep us posted

what year would you suggest for the t5. i found a t5 out of a '84 Camaro 4-banger. It has a 14 spline input shaft.,

I suggest 83-93 S10 for the T5. The shifter location is further forward, and is directly vertical - not skewed to one side as with the F-body (trans installs cocked to one side).

14-spline is most common. I think the trick is to use the S10 (2.5L or 2.8L) disc with the 250ci 11" pressure plate. Somebody will know for sure.

u cant just swap the rear on 64 is diff 65-72 u have to modifie the mounts that's what i read. i would swap for a overdrive