3.07 Dana 44 with flanged axles

Dave, Out of curiosity... why do you want to switch to this gear? In my experience with the 3.07 (TT), 3.31 (Open & TT), and 3.73 (TT) behind 259's and 289's (stock and modified), 3sp, 4sp, and automatics... I think it's the worst choice of all of them. I hated ours in the Wagonaire(stock 259/AT)...'60 Lark 4-door (259/AT didn't keep long-sold it),  and Linda's Hawk (mildly built 289/AT). I switched them as soon as the opportunity rose. Even in the flattest of country, you will NOT get a MPG increase... in fact, it's likely you will find a decrease. IME... Stude engines love to cruise in the 2500-2800 RPM range for best economy, mileage and performance. Drop them out of that "happy" range, and you will find yourself putting your foot down more to maintain speed on even the slightest of hills, passing, and especially taking off from a stop.

I would recommend no higher than 3.31 for a stock or mildly built V8 automatic, 3.54 for a stock or mildly built V8 w/3 or 4 speed, and 3.73 for a 3.OD. Move 1-gear range lower for "hilly or mountainous" country.   Perhaps if your plan is a 200/700 R4 AOD Transmission- the swap will yield worthwhile results.

Ray

So. Ga. Cruiser wrote:

Last year I put out a call for this rear end for my 62 Cruiser, with no results.   Still hoping to find this skeester, near Georgia hopefully!   If any one has a lead on a good one, please drop me a line.   CHEERS!   Dave Miller South Ga. SDC Big  Bend SDC

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My old '63 Lark 259 used to get 24 mpg highway and had plenty of power with the 3.07 which is not as high as an OD equipped car. In fact, the only time that I found a 3.07 was not desireable was in a '63 Avanti R-1 four speed where I could not control the detonation.

My '56 Power Hawk cruises at 2000 rpm in OD and gets 26 mpg+, a big improvement over the 3K rpm of third gear which only yielded barely 20 mpg.

I would agree with you IF an engine had an R1 cam but not the stock cam.

Just my experience...

JT

Studeman wrote:

I have a 3.07 TT in my 59 Hawk; original 259 automatic with first gear start. WCFB, dual exhaust, Delco window still sporting points. I am averaging twenty two to twenty four MPG and the car is a pleasure to drive. If I want to play hot rod I drive the Daytona, even though by today's high performance standards it's 289 four speed is slow. All this emphasis on go fast is getting a little silly...I drive my cars a lot; reliability and some sort of economy are much more important than speed. There are an awful lot of new cars that will easily outrun all but the most heavily modified big buck Studes, and I would rather have six or ten cars than ONE with a fast but $$$$$$$ powertrain. I have put many a very pleasureable mile on six bangers and to me it's not how fast you get there, it is that you get there with class and "cool"....and that is one thing the Studebakers are REAL good at doing... Studebaker George

Right on brother! Lou

Dave,

Your right on! I run the factory 3.07/automatic/259 in my 64 Daytona Hardtop. It performs flawlessly, even in the worst of the Texas Hell Country. 23-26 mpg under normal driving conditions is, I think, great. No es speed demon, during start off, or between lights, it does cruise down the highway with the best of them.

Have you considered buying the components and converting your existing axle? A little pricey, I know, but what isn't anymore? I don't know if Dennis still has them, but he might.

Stephen Cade has one in a parts car, unless he's sold it recently, but it's missing one axle.

Bo

Dave,

Your right on! I run the factory 3.07/automatic/259 in my 64 Daytona Hardtop. It performs flawlessly, even in the worst of the Texas Hell Country. 23-26 mpg is, I think, great. Although, not es speed demon on take offs, and between lights, it does cruise down the highway with the rest of them highway critters.

Have you considered just buying the components and converting yours. A little pricey, I'm certain, but what isn't these days?

Also, Stephen Cade has one in a parts car, unless he's recently sold it, but it is missing one axle.

Bo

Dave,

Your right on! I run the factory 3.07/automatic/259 setup in my 64 Daytona Hardtop. It performs flawlessly, even in the worst of the Texas Hell Country. 23-26 mpg is, I think, great. Of course, it is no espeedo demon on take offs and between lights. But, it cruises down the highway with the rest of them highway critters.

have you considered buying the components and converting yours. A bit expensive, I'm certain, but what isn't anymore?

Stephen Cade has one in a parts car, unless he's recently sold it, but it is missing one axle.

Bo

My computer seems to have run amok this morning. My apologies for the numerous redondent postings.

Bo

I meant to add that I have had two other 3.07 Studebakers, a '63 R-1 automatic and a '60 Hawk automatic. Both were excellent cruising cars. The Hawk would run to almost 90 in second with my foot to the floor. Paul Johnson