How do identify which center section I have?

[pinkpanthr]

I too will be at Carlisle next year ,at least that's the goal anyway . We will deffanenly have to get together .
I took a look under the car yesterday to see what center section I have and it is a 742 but with the 2.32 gears and sure grip . I too am concerned about long haul highway driving but would like to have the capability for the occasional burnout . So I guess what I am asking is the 3:23 gears with sure grip capable of producing a decent burnout ?

The stock power numbers from a 383 were 335 HP with 425 ft lbs of torque. It would do a "decent" burnout with 2:73 rear gears. 3:23's aren't gonna break any records at the drag strip but they're perfectly cable of leaving black marks.

 

[69383RR]

That's good to know , thank you for that info . But lets say that I'm not happy with my current set up , how difficult would it be to put in the 3:55's ?

 

[Basketcase]

3.23s will do a pretty decent burnout. Swapping the centers is fairly easy job.Will be covered in the factory manual in the tech section. Basicly qfter you get the car safely in the air, pull the driveshaft and wheels. Pull the brake drums, and at the base of each axel on the baking plate you'll see 5 nuts. Remove those and the axels will pull out. One side has an adjuster on the axel you'll need to adjust when you put it all back together. Get the axels out, then remove the nuts holding the center, and pry it out. It'll be heavey and the gear oil will spill out.

 

[69383RR]

I have a 742 case with a 3:55 open rear. The reason I asked is because I'd like to go to a sure grip rear with probably 3:23's. Just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything special I would have to look for.

As easy as that sounds , its not something I would attempt on my own , I'm not that stupid . But lets say I can find someone who is willing to do it , would you be interested in a swap , just something to think about . I know we both have a lot on our plate as it is so it might not be a good idea at this time , but who knows.

 

[Basketcase]

it is easy. If I can do it, you can. hardest part is muscling the center in and out. not really that heavey, just awkward.

 

[69383RR]

it is easy. If I can do it, you can. hardest part is muscling the center in and out. not really that heavey, just awkward.

Thanks guy , that's reassuring to know , but is there a significant difference to
justify a swap ?

 

[Basketcase]

it depends on just what you want. Most of my cars had the 3.23s. I drive my cars alot in the summer. Used to go to Michigan and Kentucky in my 440 4 speed Charger when my parents lived there. Michigan was 7 hours one way. Easy rpms on the highway, good milage, plenty peppy for me. My last road runner had the same 440 4 speed with 3.55s. It had a little more pep, loved to cruise at 70. Milage still not bad. I had a road runner before that with 3.91s but it was tached out at 60 on the road, but great for burnouts.
My present car has a 383 4 speed, with I believe 3,23s(no tag) and is a blast to drive, easy to break the tires loose.
If I had to choose for all around drivablity, I'd go with 3.23s, but I wouldn't turn down 3.55s.

 

[69383RR]

Thank you for your opinion and the info . Its that kind of input from fellow forum members that have first hand knowledge and exspearance that will save fellows like me a lot of time and money . I guess I'll hold on to what I have , at least for now anyway .
thanks again , Tom

 

[pinkpanthr]

As easy as that sounds , its not something I would attempt on my own , I'm not that stupid . But lets say I can find someone who is willing to do it , would you be interested in a swap , just something to think about . I know we both have a lot on our plate as it is so it might not be a good idea at this time , but who knows.

I feel like that would be taking advantage of you. Open rears are a dime a dozen, sure grips are little harder to come by. Besides once you get it out and drive it, I think you're gonna like those 3:23's. By the way just got the wheels on. They look great, I can't think you enough.

 

[pinkpanthr]

old look.
new look!

Had to lower the front a couple inches with the smaller wheels, like that look better too.

 

[69383RR]

Very nice ! glad you like them . Thank you for the pics . It just dawned on me about the open rear end and the limited slip part of the deal .
thanks , Tom.

 

[Basketcase]

the wheels look great. how about some more pics!

 

[pinkpanthr]

the wheels look great. how about some more pics!

Got the radiator out right now, was retiming the engine when the UPS man showed up. Plus it's raining, so it's gonna be a bit before I can get it out and a couple better shots of it. In my small garage those are about the only angles I can get

 

[Basketcase]

got the radiator out, the ups man showed up, it's raining....:sorrow::sorrow::sorrow::acme::jester:
been without car for over a year...need car porn......

 

[Roadcuda]

it is easy. If I can do it, you can. hardest part is muscling the center in and out. not really that heavey, just awkward.

What I did to get the center in and out was to use my floor jack and strap the center to it. It's not easy to strap it on the jack but it sure makes it a lot easier on my back and arms!!!!

 

[Big John]

IMHO, the difference between 3.23:1 and 3:55:1 isn't worth getting your hands dirty.

Do the math for gas mileage. Your engine is turning 9% less with the 3.23. Sounds good, right?

So... Let's say you get 9% better gas mileage. You won't, but we'll just say that it does.

You drive 4000 miles a year. That's high, no one but me and Stuart drive their cars that much, but let's say you do and you get 13 MPG.

That's 307 gallons of gas. At $4 a gallon, that's $1230. So... you save 9% of that gas... That's $110.

You score a deal on a new center section.... $250. Another $20-30 in gear oil and gaskets... Now you're at 2 1/2 years before you pay for the new center section.

Just saying.....

Oh... and the acceleration going to 3.55 from 3.23 won't mean squat either....

 

[Basketcase]

agreed on that.When I was putting Freebird together, I didn't have a center, and I got a deal from a buddy on my 3.55s. But if I had 3.23s already, I wouldn't have changed them.

 

[pinkpanthr]

agreed on that.When I was putting Freebird together, I didn't have a center, and I got a deal from a buddy on my 3.55s. But if I had 3.23s already, I wouldn't have changed them.

My reason for a possible swap to 3:23 is 'cause they seem to be more readily available w/suregrip. I have no idea how to add a suregrip setup to my existing open gear set, but I'm more than capable of swapping 1 for 1. Don't know what additional steps one would have to take simply to add it.

 

[69383RR]

All very good information to help a fellow make up his mind , and to be happy with the setup that's in the car .
thanks to all , Tom.

 

[moparmonk]

it depends on just what you want. Most of my cars had the 3.23s. I drive my cars alot in the summer. Used to go to Michigan and Kentucky in my 440 4 speed Charger when my parents lived there. Michigan was 7 hours one way. Easy rpms on the highway, good milage, plenty peppy for me. My last road runner had the same 440 4 speed with 3.55s. It had a little more pep, loved to cruise at 70. Milage still not bad. I had a road runner before that with 3.91s but it was tached out at 60 on the road, but great for burnouts.
My present car has a 383 4 speed, with I believe 3,23s(no tag) and is a blast to drive, easy to break the tires loose.
If I had to choose for all around drivablity, I'd go with 3.23s, but I wouldn't turn down 3.55s.

:yeathat::yeathat::yeathat: