The ChevyBaker was sold with a Dana 41 with a 4.55:1 gear ratio. (50/11 gearing)
This was great when combined with the original flat 6 and standard transmission with over drive. The ChevyBaker now has a SB 327 and Turbo 350 automatic without over drive. FYI: 65mph means 3779rpm.
The original idea was to replace the rear axle with a Ford 8.8 that was purchased on ebay. In conversation with Jim (great guy) at Cal Speed & Performance it makes more sense to replace the Turbo 350 transmission. A 200R4 is roughly the same size but unlike the TH350 has an overdrive gear. This gear is at 0.67:1 which will lower the 65MPH RPM to 2532 and should be a much better engine RPM for highway driving. This will also allow for the ring/pinion gears, or a replacement rear end, to be installed at a later date.
Here is the RPMs at different Trans/Diff/Tire combinations
MPH to RPM Calculator |
Update 4/11/24:
Picking up rebuild 200R4 transmission with torque converter today.
Confirmed delivery of the ChevyBaker and 200R4 on 4/22/24.
While looking under the car (brakes) I noticed that the shop did not shorten the front shaft but replaced both with new custom shafts.
(Click on image for gallery view)
The following outlines what happened over the 6 month period that was required to get the transmission installed and setup.
Update | Actions |
04/19/24 | Delivered the ChevyBaker to the shop because Friday COB is the same as Monday morning. That and I had help getting back to the house and Monday would be a hassle. Damn those headlights still look awesome with their driving rings (Headlight and Bezel Project ) |
04/22/24 | Delivered transmission with associated parts to Pro Speed. Here's hoping the drive shaft does not need modified. |
04/29/24 | The shop test drove the ChevyBaker but the transmission did not go into 4th gear. The transmission shop will send someone over to see if the Throttle Valve or Shifter cable needs adjusting. The upside of buying local is that the service is built into the purchase. |
05/1/24 | Received a call stating that the transmission will not shift into 4th. Was asked to pick it up and take it to the transmission shop that built it. Spoke to the transmission shop and due to scheduling will take car in later in the month. (traveling) |
05/20/24 | Spoke with transmission shop and agreed to bring the ChevyBaker in on Friday 5/31/24. |
05/30/24 | Spoke with transmissioin shop and they are NOT able to take the car tomorrow. (for a good reason). Will reschedule for 6/14/24. |
06/13/24 | Called transmission shop and was told the may not be able to "park the car". If the DO NOT call me today then I am good for 8am. |
06/14/24 | Arrived at the shop at 8:05 and took the ChevyBaker out for a test drive with the owner/manager. He agreed there is something wrong and believes it to be the "governor". The part will be order with future installed to be scheduled.He also stated that he will need to drive the car himself next time but will not do this until the brakes do not pull to the left. |
06/20/24 | Call the shop and was told the part is not in yet. He owner/manager will be calling the vendor and we will discuss timing next week. We are hoping this can be completed on Friday June 28th. |
06/25/24 | Called the shop and the part is in. They however are busy and this Friday will not work. Will call back on 7/10/24... |
07/10/24 | Can not work on the car tomorrow. Can drop it off but will not be able to touch it until Monday. Will call them on Monday to arrange a day next week. |
7/11/24 | Spent until 8/13/24 working on Suspension/Steering/Brakes |
08/20/24 | Spoke to tranmission shop for a time to deliver car for the new governor to be installed. We agreed that Friday the 23rd will work for everyone. |
08/23/24 | Took the car inito the shop at 8:00. A test drive was performed and the car was left. Not hearing anything all day we drove to the shop and arrived at 4:30 only to find them closed. Calling them the line was super scratching but they said the would call tomorrow. |
08/26/24 | Not hearing from the shop over the weekend we called them at 8:30am. They assured us that the car would be ready today. Stopping by at 3:00pm they were just taking it out for a test drive. Thirty minutes later they said it worked fine for 3 miles. The plan now is they will rebuild another 200R4 while we are on vacation for the next 3 weeks. |
09/16/24 | called the transmission shop and they are currently rebuilding the replacement 200R4. ETA to install is Monday, 9/23/24. |
09/23/24 | Spoke to shop and agreed that Friday (9/27/24) would be the best time to deliver the ChevyBaker. This allows time for the brakes to be completed, which did not actually happen but progress was made. |
09/27/24 | Delivered the car to the transmission shop at 8:05am. They have already build the replacement 200R4 and this should be a simple swap. Sidenote: the $%^& thing shifted into 4th on the way to the shop. This does NOT mean it was fixed and it did not shift on a regular bases. called at 12:45 and was told they should be another hour. (fingers crossed) AND NO. Even with the different transmission it does not shift into 4th. The shop is now looking into a bracket that will alter the cable pull from the quadrajet carb. |
9/30/24 | Called the shop to discuss if a cable would be needed. Also discussed the option to replace the shifter at an additional cost. |
10/03/24 | New cable arrived from Summit Racing. The shop is ordering the kickdown cable for the quadrajet 4 barrel carb. |
10/15/24 | Spoke to the transmission shop and scheduled the car to return on Friday 10/18/24. They may keep it overnight and will put it inside the building if they do. |
10/18/24 | We dropped off the ChevyBaker at 8:05AM with a new shifter cable and they had the kickdown bracket for the carberator. We also disassembled the center console a bit so they shop can access the shift and replace the cable. (see photo below) |
10/19/24 | Received a call at 1PM to come pick up the car. Upon arrival we test drove and YES, 4th gear at last. Something about changing springs in the valve body which modified the shifting performance. The kickdown cable bracket and the new Summit Racing cable were NOT used... We then DROVE ON THE FREEWAY on the way home. |
After a full 6 months, and a lot of stress, we FINALLY have 4th gear and as calculated the RPMs dropped by about a third.