Drivetrain questions

[the coroner 318]

Ive been putting together a 65 Coronet for a few years now, and its finally time for all the goodies ive been squirreling away to be put into action. My original plan was to keep it as OE as possible, Then I decided to get the engine machined and the whole "keep it stock" idea was thrown right out the window. The set up I NOW plan to run is still rather mild but not hemi big block high dollar either. Which brings me to the topic of the discussion...I have plans to go to the Bonneville salt flats in the summer around august, Im not sure I want to trust a bone stock 741 case 8 3/4 that hasnt been touched by anyone other than myself in god knows how long on a 5000+ mile trip AND run at the salt flats. So...Im stuck trying to figure out what the best options are for what im trying to do. First off I DO plan to race the car be it drag racing, top speed, road course etc, How ever most of the time I plan to spend in the car will be on the street. Having said that I do have an EXTRA 8 3/4 rear that i can play with for more torqueir applications (4.10:1+) so Im not really too concerned about that Im more worried about the top speed aspect of the equation here. Let me give you all an overview of what I'm running I've got a poly 318 with dual 500 carbs, stock manifolds, an A727 and a 741 case 8 3/4(which I believe has and open 2.93 center section) all of which are stock. What are my best options to get some serious speed out of an old B body?

 

[Meep-Meep]

My initial observation is trying to build a one size fits all car means it will do everything not very well. Pick a specific goal and run with it. If you want to go fast (top speed) remember the power curve required to do so is something like a brick wall (exponential). If you plan to spend most of your time on the street (like most everyone) then build a street car. If you prefer top speed then use the 2.94's rather than 3.55's or 4.10's. 741 rear end should hold up well if it's not subjected to continuous high torque launch type forces or impact from a clutch car.

 

[lewtot184]

the '741 is probably fine for your 318, and the 2.93 may be very good for highway and a top end charge. the issues i've found with older rear end bearings, axle bearings, and wheel bearings is burnnelling (think I spelled that right). best thing to do is take stuff apart and inspect. seals are another issue. inspection and repair are a must for a long trip.

 

[Meep-Meep]

the '741 is probably fine for your 318, and the 2.93 may be very good for highway and a top end charge. the issues i've found with older rear end bearings, axle bearings, and wheel bearings is burnnelling (think I spelled that right). best thing to do is take stuff apart and inspect. seals are another issue. inspection and repair are a must for a long trip.

Brinelling.

 

[the coroner 318]

Thank you, Im sure its not going to be the quickest car around thats for sure. I just want to flog it and have fun but still go fast. Im not going to be going to top speed events very often, just this summer, so the only real racing its gonna see regularly will be at the strip. I would have 3 other projects too if I was gonna dedicate them all to one specific kind of racing, but I dont have the space for them all.

 

[lewtot184]

Brinelling.

thanks. sometimes I need a little help.

 

[66coronet500]

Some high flow heads.

 

[Cranky]

You have a lot of CFM on top for stock intake, exhaust etc. As for the 741....don't worry about it if its in good shape but that's the deal with any rear end. How many broken 741's have you seen?? I used to run the highways a lot and ran from San Antonio to Houston late one night and never got below 100 the whole way until I got close to Houston and then was running at least 80 on 610 loop. This was back in 1970 and did it with a stock 2.94 and 741 case. I also used that same gear set to run at the local drag strip. Only difference is the car was a 66 Plymouth with a mild 383 but the 2.94 rode behind a poly 318 for a hard 90k miles before the 383 went in. It saw neutral drops and reverse gear changes while the car was still moving forward at 40 mph! Yeah, I was pretty mean to that car.....and somehow things never broke.

 

[moparlouie]

No 318 anything will break a decent 741.

 

[bm02tj]

Post a picture of your car so I can look for you at speed week
this will be my 5th year so hope to see you
Bruce

 

[Cranky]

No 318 anything will break a decent 741.

I dunno....I can break stuff with little of nothing!

 

[Meep-Meep]

thanks. sometimes I need a little help.

We all need a little help from our friends on occasion!