Hi, so I did a scan of previous messages and didnt see my exact query, so forgive me if this is a repeat, but I want to increase my higher speed drivability without installing a non volvo 5 speed or putting in an overdrive system. Actually, putting in an overdrive would be great, but considering the cost, finding the parts, ect, Im thinking different rear gearing would be better. I have corresponded with John at V-Performance, and he says he *might* be able to find some 3.73 gears to replace my 4.1 gears. What could I expect from this transformation? Anyone tried it? How would my cruising at 70 be?

Im pretty sure trying to find a LSD for my dana 27 is a lost cause. What would *you* do?

There's a lot of work involved in swapping a crownwheel & pinion, probably about 2/3rds of the effort in converting to a 5-speed & it's more techical, not a DIY job.

I think the first order of business here would be to know what year and model your car is... '66 or older are Dana 27 in sedans and coupes. '66 and earlier wagons are salisbury. '67 and later is Dana 30 in all, but with 10 spline axles rather than the usual 27 spline as found in Jeeps... etc. (hence, the near impossible to find LSD unit).



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-Matt I ♥ my ♂

Where are you located? Dale (Volvo245GTI) has just pulled a good working LSD off of a 123GT (gear ratio would be 4.10). I've just about got my 3.73 ready to install, but it is a 1030 out of a 240 not a Dana 27 from a 122 and that's a conversion you have to think once or twice about first. I doubt there will be much of a difference in performace and drivability (I also have an M41 that is going into this car - they aren't all that hard to find) and a 9% change in gear at the rear end isn't going to change all that much.

As far as I know the Dana 27 still has parts available - Don't tell people you're looking for a Volvo and the parts are easy to find with a little effort. As for Vintage Performance, I wouldn't be buying anything from John Parker - have a look in the archives. He's pretty good at the e-mails until he gets the cheque. Ask how I know.

I actually think the ratio may be 4.56 but I'll clean up the tag and see for sure.

Which Humboldt would be good to know as the one in Saskatchewan would be significantly easier to get a Dana 27 LSD to you. I'll also have a known good M41 and short driveshaft available sometime over the winter if all things go according to plan...

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Dale

As Dale said, which Humboldt are you in? I have several M41's around at the moment and I can ship pretty cheap via UPS if you are in the Northern Cal. Humboldt. I even have a short drive shaft or two. You need an early one or a late one?


Chris
Scappoose Oregon

Chris, email me.. for some reason my outlook isnt working so I cant seem to get it to send a letter to you. Conversly, you could just email me at snowdaddy23@yahoo.com Its my secondary account so I dont care if it gets out. Anyhoo, Id be quite interested in talking turkey about your m41 !

Thank again, I was posting under 122 in Humboldt prior to me not being completely lazy and retrieving my password for my proper account.

Message sent off board....

Thanks
Chris

Im in Eureka CA, Humboldt County California. Pot and hippies and redwoods, you know.

Thank you for all the responces! So who among you has basically a m41 "kit" ?

I hadnt even thought too much about installing a new transmission, but if I can do it in an easier fashion than I thought it would be, I may be into in. I have to run to work, but I'll dig through the rest of these responces and ponder this one.

AFAIK the 123GT's came with the 4.56 rear end. Better acceleration, and good on the highway too with the OD M41.
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'63 PV544 rat rod, '93 Classic #1141 245 +t

All B16 Amazons (1957-1961) have rear axis ratio 4.56:1. All B18 Amazons (1962-1968) with overdrive have 4.56:1, including the 123GT. The 123GT had limited slip differential factory installed only on one market: Canada (type designation 133951M), but LSD was available as option on all cars (most cars equiped for the Police have LSD). All B20 Amazons with overdrive have 4.3:1. All B18 and B20 Amazons without overdrive have 4.1:1 or 4.55:1 (only the Estate and only the Salisbury axis), except 1969 Estates which have 4.3:1.

Fredrik
www.volvoamazonpictures.se

Hello,

If VPD can not help, let me know as I am pretty sure I can get you a new gear set and all the parts to rebuild your type 27 open including a new spyder gear set if needed.

I might be able to locate a Dana 27 LSD, but it won't be cheap.

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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90501

What engine do you have? B18, B20, stock or modified? It makes a difference to what gears you want, but I suspect the 3.73 would work fairly well in most cases.

I don't think it will be an entirely satisfactory result.

The rear axle ratio change is fairly minor, only about 9% reduction. In contrast to the 21% (more or less) reduction of the OD '5th' gear. So revs won't drop that dramatically on the highway. And you'll be stuck with the higher ratios in the lower gears, which will hurt acceleration.

M41 swaps are about as easy as they get in a 122. Just bolt them in and shorten the driveshaft. Well slight exaggeration on the simplicity, but you don't have to chop out the trans tunnel like you do on a PV.

Limited slips aren't impossible to find for the older Volvo's. You just shouldn't try looking for an old Volvo part, look for something for a Jeep, some of them used the Dana 27 too. I have one in the basement that I have every reason to believe will fit my PV, I've just never gotten around to installing it. I got it cheap as an old fairly common Jeep part. A few months after I got it, I saw an auction for a genuine vintage Volvo R-sport LSD, and I compared mine to it and they were the same, down to the part numbers and everything. I think the axle spline counts changed over the years, so find out what yours is and get one to match.
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'63 PV544 rat rod, '93 Classic #1141 245 +t

With a 3.73 axle you'll effectively have a 3 speed box with a very high first/low gear so starting off would be like using second gear all the time. Not good for the clutch. Top would now be a high overdrive and you'd probably have to get up to 70 in third before you could use it. Your engine won't have enough power to pull the gear as it'll only be doing a bit over 2k rpm. I haven't done the maths. Unless you've got about 120 php at the back wheels it won't drive very well at all. If you shop around, the change to M41 needn't be that expensive and with the 4.1 axle it'll be usable, especially if you live where it's pretty flat.