I have a 3 speed automatic transmission in a 69’Chevelle which I just pruchased. The shifts from 1st to third are really smooth, but the rpm’s at highway speed seem high. I am turning around 3,000 rpm at 60 mph. Does this seem correct? If not any suggestions?
That sounds about right depending on the axle ratio.
Everyone has gotten accustomed to 5/6 speed manuals, overdrive automatics, etc. and the old cars really sound like they’re screaming now in comparison.
If you’re wanting to bring the revs down then you need to go to an overdrive transmission or swap the rear axle or ring/pinion gears out.
I have a '79 Z28 here that had a 3:42 axle in it and it was turning about 3 grand at 60 MPH. Some digging around produced a 2:56 axle and it knocked about 8-900 rpm off and it did not really hurt off the line driveablility too much. It’s not a hot rod anyway.