My 1980 242 DL is equipped with an M45 4 speed transmission, and came equipped with the 3.91 ratio rearend. Can somebody tell me what years/models were equipped with a 3.31 ratio rearend? I'm hoping to find one for sale, or at least know what years/ models to look at when I'm in the u-pull-it yards.

This car is my dainly driver, and often makes 1600 mile round trips between Baton Rouge, LA and Champaigh/Urbana, IL and the 3.91 rear combined with no overdrive is killing my gas mileage. And with fuel prices as high as they are, I need all the help I can get. Does anybody here happen to have a spare 3.31 ratio rearend for sale within 100 miles of Baton Rouge, LA or the Champaign/Urbana IL areas? Or somewhere along the route on I-55 or I-57?

Eventually I plan to swap in another engine with a 5 speed overdrive transmission from another make of vehicle (both for performance and economy reasons), but that swap is still away off in the future. Until then, it seems like the 3.31 rear is the easiest way to get some inprovement in my fuel mileage.

If anybody has a 3.31 ratio rearend for sale, or knows where I might find one at a reasonable price, please email me directly to save on bandwith here on the board:

billmz @ cox . net

Thanks,

billy242