Need a supplier for a rebuilt rear end

[IH2LOSE]

I have a set of 411 in my car now.I need to purchase an entire rear end with a smaller set of gears I would like to go to 336 or 355 does anybody have a recomendation on who to use for an outrite purchase of a rebuilt unit?

And then what should the part number and the codes on the bottom of the rear end read?

The rear I have in the car now I think says F8 and theres a W in it I cant read the rest of the numbers now because there covered with paint and very slightly stamped and crooked

I am replacing the rear to make the car more drivable and would rather purchase an outrite set because this is the original rear to the car and in case I dont like the smaller gears I can go back to the 411'S

 

[Mac]

With your big block, you could easily go as low as 3.08 without losing significant street power, yet gain driveability and fuel economy.

It's more of a hassle to change the complete diff than to swap the gearset, plus extra cost. Why not just change out the gears and retain your original pumpkin in the car?

 

[IH2LOSE]

I am not capeable of doing just the gears myself.Then I would have to find a local guy to do it.I would much rather get an entire pumkin completeley set up by a proffetional and then I could install the entire set up in my car myself

I was nervous going to the 336'S No way Im going any smaller I am ONLY doing this so I can enjoy the ride out to carlilse this year,and future years its just so I can make the yearley pilgramage in comfort.

 

[Ol Blue]

IH2LOSE
Give Pat Ikerd (Ikerd's Inc.) a call at 812-279-4828 a call. He's been rebuilding differentials for years and used to supply Mid-America. I'm not sure if he still provides them to Mid-America or not, but he will have a wide choice in stock for you to choose from.


Tell him "handlebar" from Bloomington sent you to him?
Thanks
Ol Blue

 

[IH2LOSE]

IH2LOSE
Give Pat Ikerd (Ikerd's Inc.) a call at 812-279-4828 a call. He's been rebuilding differentials for years and used to supply Mid-America. I'm not sure if he still provides them to Mid-America or not, but he will have a wide choice in stock for you to choose from.


Tell him "handlebar" from Bloomington sent you to him?
Thanks
Ol Blue

Thank you for the lead he has nothing with my dates in stock now I have to check back with him late next week,WOW talk about sticker shock This date coding is very exspencive!

 

[Yoda]

You can check out Ikerds website HERE

These are the guys I got the new rear for Rare from.. They came highly recommended and I was very satified with their gears and customer service

Bud

 

[Mac]

I don't know if I follow the logic here. Am I missing something?

Considered how big a job swapping the entire rear diff is, I wouldn't do it unless the carrier was shot. That's not the case since you said you'd consider reinstalling the original if you didn't like the feel of the new gearing. The cost of purchasing a rebuilt date coded rear diff is going to be significant. So you have an expensive part together with a time consuming installation.

Replacing the gearset isn't all that difficult although it helps to have the right tools. The cost of having a professional rebuild your original with a new set of gears is going to be significantly less than the purchase cost of a rebuilt diff because you're providing the diff and you know it's date coded because it's original, so basically, the cost is a gearset and time. So you have a less expensive repair, maintain your original rear diff casing and no install needed.

So why do you want to replace your rear diff again? If you don't like the lower gears, what's stopping you from putting them back in??

As for your concerns re: lower gearing, my 73 is a small block (L82) 250 hp & 285 lb/ft torque with a 3.08 rear diff. It's got sufficient power to chirp the tires in the first three gears. So how do you figure your big block isn't going to be happy pushing anything less than 3.36? It's not like you living life a quarter mile at a time- you want to do some highway cruising.

I'm sure someone has the calculator to tell you what your final drive RPM will be at highway speed so you can compare the various gear ratios, or find someone who has a bb midyear with the gears you're considering and do a seat-of-the-pants comparison.

 

[IH2LOSE]

You are correct on all counts mac I definately did not exspect this kind of dollars or troubles finding the correct case.If I canot get a correct case I will look to have mine swapped out to a smaller gear.

Not ontrack with my original plan but it will be an option,I just hate sending out a part to some one and then having an un useable car with out the part,Or never getting the correct part back

As for the power difference I really got to remind you I never liked corvettes untill I went for a ride in a 67 427/435 car with 411's and then when and how I got hooked on vettes

 

[IH2LOSE]

Also mac I do not belive you can do a gear swap in the car,I have alway belived no mater what the rear end was coming out of the car even if just a gear change was in order

 

[Mac]

Also mac I do not belive you can do a gear swap in the car,I have alway belived no mater what the rear end was coming out of the car even if just a gear change was in order

Just me showing my Vette-ignorance again. I've assisted in swapping a gearset on a Dodge without dropping the rear diff, but I've never tried working on a Vette rear diff in the car. We had mine out during resto but all it needed was cleaned up and reinstalled.

 

[67435animal]

Just me showing my Vette-ignorance again. I've assisted in swapping a gearset on a Dodge without dropping the rear diff, but I've never tried working on a Vette rear diff in the car. We had mine out during resto but all it needed was cleaned up and reinstalled.

I am thinking of doing the same thing; I'd like to be able to swap the gearset but I was told that a 3:36 would require a different case. Geeze!

 

[JL66REDCPE]

Larry -- Have you tried Piper's out in Vermillion Illinois ?? They stock many dated cases and should be able to supply you with what you need.

john lolli

 

[IH2LOSE]

John L thanks for the lead I just spoke to Darrel on Tuesday he has a proper case and we are building a new rear and I should have it with in two weeks. I definatley went with 3:36's

So it looks like I will have a smooth and easey ride out to carlilse this year
Thanks to all for the information

 

[IH2LOSE]

I am thinking of doing the same thing; I'd like to be able to swap the gearset but I was told that a 3:36 would require a different case. Geeze!

I do not know if the case is different except for the stamping on the case (on the bottom between the spring and the rear case cover) I have found my N.C.R.S. judging manual and read the section on rear ends and they state that the numbers are not judged only the condtion of the finish on the rear end.NO CAST BLAST only natrual finish is accepted.

 

[JL66REDCPE]

Larry - My 66 is a 427/425 with a 3:36 rear. I think it is a good street rear. Darrell built my transmission for me. He does excellent work -- not cheap -- however excellent work.

 

[JohnZ]

I am thinking of doing the same thing; I'd like to be able to swap the gearset but I was told that a 3:36 would require a different case. Geeze!

You don't need a different case, but you'd need a different carrier (Posi unit); 4.11 and up uses a Series 4 carrier, and the next range down (3.08 to 3.70) uses a Series 3 carrier.

 

[JL66REDCPE]

Larry - I THINK you are also going to need a different gear in the transmission that drives the plastic speedometer gear. I would suggest you call Darrell and ask him.

john lolli

 

[IH2LOSE]

Larry - My 66 is a 427/425 with a 3:36 rear. I think it is a good street rear. Darrell built my transmission for me. He does excellent work -- not cheap -- however excellent work.

John I have allways taken the high road with all my cars its always better to spend the fair and correct amount in the first place then to slowley be bled to death buy poor quaility and service.
I actually had no concerns using darrel from a prefious recomendation from last year (I thought it was from you) When I was shopping for a trans rebuilder.I was told ed hartnet or darrel where the only two guys to use.I used ed and could not be happier I met him at carlilse and made a deal on the spot,I am embarrased to say I could not find darrel any place even with all the people I stopped to ask them where he was.


Larry - I THINK you are also going to need a different gear in the transmission that drives the plastic speedometer gear. I would suggest you call Darrell and ask him.

john lolli


Excellent point Do you know what color I will need Ed Hartnett had sent me extra ones when my trans was rebuilt I will have to find them again.

 

[JL66REDCPE]

Larry

Yep I believe you were right -- it was me who recommended Darrell or Ed Hartnett.

The gear I was referring to is actually inside the transmission and drives the colored speedometer gear. Get yourself a Long Island Corvette Catalog and look at section 32. Items 63 through 64D.

For the colored speedo gear you will need a blue one.

Confirm what I am saying with Ed or Darrell.

good luck

john lolli

 

[Bo Dillingham]

I just happened to hit on this topic because I recently met a guy who SPECIALIZES in rebuilding Corvette rear ends, and he has a garage full of them ready for shipping (No kidding).

He is Paul Walter of Northside Corvette in Cedar, MN.
763-434-5764.

By the way, this man does nothing but corvette mechanical work, and has been doing it for many years. He loves the cars and his shop looks like a doctors office, only cleaner.