PV - New guy have question

030over · Jun 20th, 2009, 00:35

Hello! Im in the midwest, and have purchased a very nice, restored 544. Its a 1964. I have had my eye on it for 4 years and it just became available. It needs A/c installed, I can do that; I want to put 122 disc brakes on the front, I can do that and I have the parts.

It badly needs a different rear gear ratio. It tachs at 3500 rpms at 60mph in 4th gear. Here in Kansas, its a long ways between towns and points of interest. I believe thats about 1000-1500 rpms too much. I pulled the cover off of the rear today and see that it is a 4:11 ratio. I have other 544 rear ends, but dont believe they are any better ratio wise; Im thinking 4:11 or 4:56. I think I need 3:80 or thereabouts

I have 4 junk 122 Volvos also, (I have a salvage yard of sorts) One of them is an automatic. I wonder if any might know what are the variety of gear ratios I can look for under 544s and 122s, and do they interchange? If not, who might sell ring and pinions?

My 544 has 15 inch Torque Thrust wheels and 195 x 65 radials. I Know each inch of tire equals 200 rpms, but dont want to change the tires as they are new, and I would need about 6 more inches of tire, and thats impossible.

A/C and a lean gear ratio; Im probably going to lose some serious torque/horsepower. Any veterans have any advice?

222s · Jun 20th, 2009, 01:06

Assuming that PVs used the same size tyres as Amazons, your 195/65R15s are slightly smaller diameter than the stock tyres (165/80R15) - however 205/65R15 would be the same as stock.

As for the gear ratios, I think that 4.11:1 is the tallest, so if you still want to improve the gearing, then how about dropping in an overdrive gearbox? In o/d 4th in an Amazon, 84mph is 400rpm, so quite an improvement.

030over · Jun 20th, 2009, 01:14

Thank you for the quick response! I guess I did not know there was an overdrive avail for the PV models. All I have to do now is find out where one is

.

Derek UK · Jun 20th, 2009, 10:20

The factory never fitted the M41 OD box to the PV but it can be retro fitted. Not such an easy job as in the Amazon as you have to cut out the floor over the gearbox and enlarge the hump. It's been done a lot by either using a tunnel section from another Volvo or a custom made one. Have a search around here
http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?model=444-544 for photos and details of various builds. You'll need to shorten the drive shaft too.
e.g. http://www.vclassics.com/pv_od.html

Jun 20th, 2009, 00:35	#1
030over New Member Last Online: Jul 18th, 2009 16:50 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Redfield	New guy have question Hello! Im in the midwest, and have purchased a very nice, restored 544. Its a 1964. I have had my eye on it for 4 years and it just became available. It needs A/c installed, I can do that; I want to put 122 disc brakes on the front, I can do that and I have the parts. It badly needs a different rear gear ratio. It tachs at 3500 rpms at 60mph in 4th gear. Here in Kansas, its a long ways between towns and points of interest. I believe thats about 1000-1500 rpms too much. I pulled the cover off of the rear today and see that it is a 4:11 ratio. I have other 544 rear ends, but dont believe they are any better ratio wise; Im thinking 4:11 or 4:56. I think I need 3:80 or thereabouts I have 4 junk 122 Volvos also, (I have a salvage yard of sorts) One of them is an automatic. I wonder if any might know what are the variety of gear ratios I can look for under 544s and 122s, and do they interchange? If not, who might sell ring and pinions? My 544 has 15 inch Torque Thrust wheels and 195 x 65 radials. I Know each inch of tire equals 200 rpms, but dont want to change the tires as they are new, and I would need about 6 more inches of tire, and thats impossible. A/C and a lean gear ratio; Im probably going to lose some serious torque/horsepower. Any veterans have any advice?

Jun 20th, 2009, 01:06	#2
222s Amazoniste Last Online: Sep 19th, 2016 21:52 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Emsworth View Photos By: 222s	Assuming that PVs used the same size tyres as Amazons, your 195/65R15s are slightly smaller diameter than the stock tyres (165/80R15) - however 205/65R15 would be the same as stock. As for the gear ratios, I think that 4.11:1 is the tallest, so if you still want to improve the gearing, then how about dropping in an overdrive gearbox? In o/d 4th in an Amazon, 84mph is 400rpm, so quite an improvement. __________________ Paul - 1967 Amazon 222S B20 o/d Estate & 1961 A-H Sprite Mk2 948cc WANTED - For '67 Amazon estate - offside rear quarter, preferably new old stock.

Jun 20th, 2009, 01:14	#3
030over New Member Last Online: Jul 18th, 2009 16:50 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Redfield	new guy Thank you for the quick response! I guess I did not know there was an overdrive avail for the PV models. All I have to do now is find out where one is.

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Jun 20th, 2009, 10:20	#4
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Today 11:36 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	The factory never fitted the M41 OD box to the PV but it can be retro fitted. Not such an easy job as in the Amazon as you have to cut out the floor over the gearbox and enlarge the hump. It's been done a lot by either using a tunnel section from another Volvo or a custom made one. Have a search around here http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?model=444-544 for photos and details of various builds. You'll need to shorten the drive shaft too. e.g. http://www.vclassics.com/pv_od.html

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