VintAGE-Vans

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BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER.... A's, G's & E's


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jrinaman
austinmodhouse
diamond dave
101highwaystar
8 posters

    60-70s shorty that can do 75mph?

    101highwaystar
    101highwaystar


    Number of posts : 1
    Location : san francisco
    Registration date : 2014-07-21

    60-70s shorty that can do 75mph? Empty 60-70s shorty that can do 75mph?

    Post by 101highwaystar Mon Jul 21, 2014 5:49 pm

    looking for a 60s-70s shorty that can comfortably do 75 on the highway. not 75 top speed.. 75 for hours, is the idea.

    i currently have a 72 blazer with a 350 auto and it starts winding over 3k rpm over 70s mph. looking for something will taller gearing than that, ideally

    been reading about various makes, motors, trans etc and gather that the 6 cyl's won't do it, and sounding like nothing in the 60s was powered and geared for high speeds?

    also to fit in my garage (short and downsloping) it has to be short wheelbase

    any ideas? thanks!
    diamond dave
    diamond dave


    Number of posts : 565
    Location : canal fulton, ohio
    Registration date : 2012-04-24

    60-70s shorty that can do 75mph? Empty Re: 60-70s shorty that can do 75mph?

    Post by diamond dave Mon Jul 21, 2014 8:55 pm

    I can run 70 in my 69 shorty down the highway all day long. It's got a 230 six in it, and a 3 speed manual. and gets 17 mpg's and above doing it. if you want to go much faster, I suggest disc brakes and a v8 with overdrive. but your mileage will not be real nice, even with the overdrive.
    austinmodhouse
    austinmodhouse


    Number of posts : 575
    Location : austin
    Registration date : 2010-07-30

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    Post by austinmodhouse Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:26 pm

    I’ve got a dodge with a V8 and a trans out of some other vehicle.  at 70 I’m at about 3k rpm.  Not sure how much faster I’d want to go in one of these....

    60-70s shorty that can do 75mph? Amh707860-70s shorty that can do 75mph? Amh7077
    jrinaman
    jrinaman


    Number of posts : 890
    Location : zelienople,pa.
    Age : 59
    Registration date : 2011-03-10

    60-70s shorty that can do 75mph? Empty Re: 60-70s shorty that can do 75mph?

    Post by jrinaman Tue Jul 22, 2014 6:19 pm

    slightly built 250 six banger with 700r4 and 3.36:1 rear. did 100 mph towing a pop up camper. I now have a 292 but haven't opened it up yet.
    Digz
    Digz


    Number of posts : 3794
    Location : United States Six Lakes MI
    Registration date : 2008-05-17

    60-70s shorty that can do 75mph? Empty Re: 60-70s shorty that can do 75mph?

    Post by Digz Tue Jul 22, 2014 6:55 pm

    If ya can't find it..build it!
    66ThunderVan
    66ThunderVan


    Number of posts : 384
    Location : Portsmouth, Va.
    Registration date : 2012-01-08

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    Post by 66ThunderVan Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:39 am

    Ditto, Digs! Most of these old vans need new engines anyway, so do your homework and build what you want. A big 6 cyl. and an overdrive is more than enough for most earlies but V8's are more fun.
    Twinpilot001
    Twinpilot001


    Number of posts : 6186
    Location : spokane ,Wa.
    Registration date : 2009-09-28

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    Post by Twinpilot001 Fri Aug 29, 2014 12:49 pm

    LIKE =I always say = "You could have had a V-8!!" cheers
    kookykrispy
    kookykrispy


    Number of posts : 1533
    Location : Helendale, CA
    Age : 50
    Registration date : 2009-05-22

    60-70s shorty that can do 75mph? Empty Re: 60-70s shorty that can do 75mph?

    Post by kookykrispy Fri Aug 29, 2014 3:14 pm

    Its all about how you gear 'em.  Running tall rear tires helps too.  Use an engine RPM calculator to figure out how transmission, gear ratio, and tire size figures into dialing in your van to cruise in the 'sweet spot' of your engine's happy power band on the freeways.

    In my '65 Hella Sunshine, I have a th350, 3.36 gears with 27" tall 325/50r15 drag radial tires.  I cruise in the fast lane no problem.  This combo calculates 75mph at 3136 rpm.  Its powered by a small block chevy v8, which can take it up to 100 mph without worries.  

    60-70s shorty that can do 75mph? IMG_0027
    60-70s shorty that can do 75mph? DSC00577

    My '64 Wikivan has a ultra wide ratio t-10 4 speed (3.44:1 first gear) with 2.56 gears in the back.  295/50r15 rear tires, which are 26" tall.  This van cruises great on the freeway too.  Its similar to having a 3 speed + overdrive with 3.73 gears.  Both vans love the fast lane, and love the freeway, but the wikivan really knocks the revs down with the 2.56 final drive gear.    The RPM calculator brings this combo in at 2481 rpm at 75mph.

    60-70s shorty that can do 75mph? 640x480xDSC00238.JPG.pagespeed.ic.a19KVw7bCf

    60-70s shorty that can do 75mph? DSC08369
    The engine in the '64 is a 230 inline six, which has a much lower torque power band than the SBC v8, so it is geared down accordingly so the engine is always working in the RPM it was designed for.  The wikivan's 4th gear is great for long cruising on flat stretches.  For pulling hills or passing, I simply drop it down into 3rd gear, get 'er done, and then back into 4th again for economic operation.

    South of Olympia, on I-5 the speed limit goes to 75 all the way down to Portland. I've had the wikivan on this long flat stretch of road several times, and it just hums along at 75-80mph no problem.

    You definitely need to rebuild the suspension, and have good tires, brakes, and good shocks for any kind of high speed operation.  Having at least a front sway bar helps too.  I still don't have one on Hella Sunshine, and I miss it.  

    Another good idea is to pick up a stock van, and then plan on a overdrive transmission swap, which will give you an overdrive for the freeway, dropping your final drive high speed cruise rpms down by about 30%.  If you get a chevy, consider a 200r-4, which is a good swap for 64-70 vans due to its compact size.  Fords can use the AOD, and I think there is a Mopar overdrive automatic also.

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