Re: 1977 rear gear swap

by dynchel Mon Jun 02, 2014 6:48 am

Brainstain wrote:At one time I was told that the 2.56 housings were smaller than the 2.76 and up housings and that fears wouldn't fit in them. I'm not sure if there is any truth to this or not?

I think its the posi unit you are thinking about. There is a spacer available to fix that problem.

by bracketchev1221 Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:26 am

I think the housing you found will suit you fine. Go take a look at it, the rear does look like it was out of a car that probably saw some winter road salt. But as long as the mounting ears are not pitted on the inside diameter and a new bushing will seat and it looks functional then go for it. See if they will let pull the cover and confirm what is in there.

by Dinomyte Mon Jun 02, 2014 10:30 am

Thanks everyone - I'll just role under my car tonight and see what's what, and then get in touch with the seller. I'm sure pulling the cover won't be a big deal.

What am I looking for? I know what a posi looks like, and I know what new stuff looks like but I'd have no idea if it was all wrong . . .

And YES this probably saw winter snow and salt.

enjoy

by Dinomyte Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:21 pm

I've been under the car just now and I was wrong. Don't ask, I don't know what I was remembering.

The pot looks exactly the same. So it will just bolt right in? What else will I need that I can't transfer from the old one, and what do I need to look for when I go see this thing?

Thanks and again sorry for the confusion.

enjoy

by pila Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:31 pm

My '77 Elco had the 2.56 rear gears. I had it down a couple of times for rear seals and axle bearings. It was an 8.5.
There is an ident code on the right axle tube, on the front side, a bit away from the gear housing. Letters & numbers to tell what it is.

by Dinomyte Mon Jun 02, 2014 10:40 pm

Casting number on axle tube....the best I can make out is 4zt076g. Casting on yoke is 1251502.

anybody know what it all means or where to look for details?

thanks

by Joe73 Tue Jun 03, 2014 6:03 am

Your looking for tbe stamped number not the casting number. If your at your passenger side wheel looking at it face on. Three o'clock position of tbe wheel which would.be.towards the front of tbe car. Follow tbree oclock along the axle tube until you get to abour 3-5 inches from the diff. Hit that area with a wire brush. Thats where number should be.

by Dinomyte Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:02 am

I see what you're saying, I think one of those is the stamped number, the one starting with 4.

That was a copy and paste from the sellers email. I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and go look for myself. I know the thing has been rebuilt so looking inside is a must, I just wanted to make sure it would fit and that all was good with the size and layout at least before driving 2 hours.

by Dinomyte Fri Jun 06, 2014 5:22 pm

Has anybody got measurements for the rear end in our cars?

Distance between backing plates.

Distance between lower control arm mounts. and there size?

Distance between spring mounts.

I'm going out Sunday to take a look at this thing and wanted to be sure it will fit. Guy says it will but he's already made one mistake. . .

by Dinomyte Fri Jun 20, 2014 1:33 pm

Got the rear end home last night.

Now I need to find control arms (Mine are for a non sway bar car and I've got a sway bar I want to install) The local Car Quest which has always been great can't get anything other than a Hotchkis kit that is about $600, which is a little much just to get a sway bar in.

What have you guys used and from where? I'm not into racing, but do want a car that handles better than she did stock.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks, Dino

by dynchel Fri Jun 20, 2014 1:38 pm

Pmtfabrication.com Mine came from eBay, but you can buy them direct.

by Joe73 Fri Jun 20, 2014 1:39 pm

Just order up the.sway bar inserts and bolt tbem into.your arms. I believe the inserts from the late model.caprice fit as well.

by dynchel Fri Jun 20, 2014 1:44 pm

Joe73 wrote:Just order up the.sway bar inserts and bolt tbem into.your arms. I believe the inserts from the late model.caprice fit as well.

If you choose this route, i have two from a '95 impala you can have.

1977 rear gear swap - Page 2 IMG_20140620_135019271_zpswgcggseu

by Dinomyte Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:10 pm

dynchel wrote:
Joe73 wrote:Just order up the.sway bar inserts and bolt tbem into.your arms. I believe the inserts from the late model.caprice fit as well.
If you choose this route, i have two from a '95 impala you can have.

Thanks mate. That means the sway bar from the '95 Impala I have is sure to fit. Smile

I'm going to see if I can find a pair local to me as customs is sometimes an issue, and without an official receipt it becomes a royal pain.

My current lower control arms don't have bolt holes or anything for the inserts. Anyone got measurements for them?

This is a great help.

Thanks so much. . .

by dynchel Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:11 pm

The bar in my '74 is from a '95 SS so yes it will fit. Sorry no measurments, my oe arms weren't sway bar equipped either.

1977 rear gear swap - Page 2 IMG_20140617_081612842_HDR_zps0c8qr5q0

1977 rear gear swap - Page 2 IMG_20140617_081612842_HDR_zps0c8qr5q0

Here's what it looks like installed

by Dinomyte Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:12 pm

OK, so where do the holes to bolt the insert in need to be so that I don't get this sway bar too close or too far from the OE location?

Does this even matter so long as it doesn't interfere with anything?

by dynchel Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:33 pm

Idk for sure, but I would think as long as it clears everything the exact location isn't that important.

by chevellelaguna Fri Jun 20, 2014 9:26 pm

The bar and inserts need to be as far back in the arm as possible. You won't have any clearance issues, there's quite a bit if room. The inserts will be the dimensions.

by pila Fri Jun 20, 2014 11:43 pm

The farther back area lets the bar control the rear end better, since it's far from the front mounts of the arms, to where the leverage is.

by Dinomyte Sat Jun 21, 2014 12:09 pm

So I guess the easiest way to do this is position the inserts in the LCAs while attached to the sway bar, mark everything out, then take them out and drill holes.

Dynchel - I may be taking you up on your offer, I've got a couple more yards to check with up north of here, and the dealer network, but so far nobody has inserts.

by dynchel Sat Jun 21, 2014 12:10 pm

No problem, let me know. jocolor

by Dinomyte Tue Jun 24, 2014 11:00 am

Dynchel - I've sent you an email.

Thanks so much for the inserts, I don't think there is a single pair in Canada.

This is what community is all about.

by Dinomyte Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:26 am

What type and how much friction modifier is anybody using in there diff?

Specifically those with an Auburn Posi unit. I've found multiple different answers to this, ranging from 1 to 2 "bottles" with no mention of how big the bottle is.

Thanks

by Joe73 Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:36 am

Ive installed a coue of auburns but i dont remember the amount. I'd give them a call. Better safe than sorry.

by dynchel Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:53 am

:

Dinomyte wrote:Dynchel - I've sent you an email.

Thanks so much for the inserts, I don't think there is a single pair in Canada.

This is what community is all about.

I sent them out this morning. jocolor

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