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The three speed offered a couple of benefits. First, it was slightly cheaper so it made for a lower priced car. Second, insurance companies apparently rated a car with a 4 speed a higher risk so you might save on insurance with a 3 speed manual - and insurance costs were part of what killed the original muscle car.Buddy of mine had one back in the 80's, we started a 401 engine swap one summer and as teenage boys are apt to do, left it there to turn to rust. The car was light and even with the 360, was pretty quick, catching the Chevelles and even a few Camoros sitting at the light. The 3 speed was the kiss of death, the true muscle cars didn't take long to come roaring by, lol!!
Exactly!The three speed offered a couple of benefits. First, it was slightly cheaper so it made for a lower priced car. Second, insurance companies apparently rated a car with a 4 speed a higher risk so you might save on insurance with a 3 speed manual - and insurance costs were part of what killed the original muscle car.
What rear axle, 8.25? Back in the day my friend had a 70 Valiant 225 /6, 7.25 rear with 3.23 gears. It was surprisingly quick. The Holley 1920 responded well to a larger jet and cleaning up the casting. He put in a high energy coil, opened up the plugs to 0.045", and set the ignition timing to 5 BTD. That's all it would take before pinging. It was an oddly optioned car: 225, A904 Automatic, P/S, and the 3.23 rear gears. Otherwise, bench seat, rubber floor, and radio delete.My 1974, 198, 3 on the tree, 3.55 geared Dart Swinger beat a Maverick with whatever 6 banger Ford offered back then.
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Never looked. In 1974 the 3:55 was standard on a 198 3 speed. I could get a good squawk hitting 2nd!What rear axle, 8.25? Back in the day my friend had a 70 Valiant 225 /6, 7.25 rear with 3.23 gears. It was surprisingly quick. The Holley 1920 responded well to a larger jet and cleaning up the casting. He put in a high energy coil, opened up the plugs to 0.045", and set the ignition timing to 5 BTD. That's all it would take before pinging. It was an oddly optioned car: 225, A904 Automatic, P/S, and the 3.23 rear gears. Otherwise, bench seat, rubber floor, and radio delete.