Ok Guys, Here is more info to chew on +consider the ratio carefully. pluses for the 3.42 ratio are: +uses Auburn 8.2 2.93-3.23 carrier (I KNOW IT SAYS ONLY 3.23 BUT i HAVE INSTALLED ENOUGH OF THIS SET REAR GEARS AND HAVE MADE NOTED MEASUREMENT OF THE CARRIERS AND 3.42 FITS THIS CARRIER. NOT...I REPEAT NOT THE 3.36 AND UP 8.2 UNIT. THIS IS 1968-1970 ONLY!!!!) +a conversion bearing on the passenger bearing journal and redrilling the 3/8 holes to 7/16 is all that is needed and will be a direct bolt in. WHY NOT THE 3.64 RATIO... 3.64 gears do sound cool to get, but hear are what I consider draw backs. - you have to use the 3.36 and up 8.2 carrier, in the aftermarket and neither Eaton nor Auburn 3.36 carrier have the proper size journal for this application or conversion bearing to do the job. - Options you can have a machined bushing pressed onto the driver side bearing journal and then press ontop of that a carrier bearing and HOPE that it will not spin and hold under loads...and considering the ratios your using with these carriers - 3.64 3.90 4.33 etc...I would think your gonna punish the poop out of it, correct? or why get the ratio? lol. -machining these little bushing are again another cost and the normal person is not just going to be able to whip one up. Where as the other way as i mentioned you guys are capable with normal tools and some skill can do on your own. - I also think that there are certain ratios that need to be untouchable... That is what keeps them rare and makes them in cars that came with them a legend...and worth extra money... just a thought also. If everyone has that ratio it becomes less glorious to have them correct. Example 3.31 Chevy gears...were considered the SS optioned standard gear... aftermarket does not make them still. ??? why?? It is a great ratio... I would just leave that alone also. So this is why I vote 3.42 for the ratio best suited to spend money on. It is a great all around ratio and most you guys are using the 455 torque monster and reving is really not a concern, right? NOW , there is another place down in Texas call Fabcraft and they are already reproducing 4.33 gear sets for the pontiac guys and also repro 1957-1964 gasser pontiac / old drop out rear diff ratios. SO we can ask them for a quote also. SO hold onto your pants till we get all the quotes in. Ok? PLEASE KEEP TUNED AND TELL OTHERS... THIS I THINK IS PRETY IMPORTANT FOR THE BUICK CLUB FOR NO OTHER REASON TO LET THE AFTERMARKET KNOW THERE IS A INTERESTED LARGE GROUP OF BUICK FANS WILLING TO SHELL OUT MONEY FOR THE CORRECT PARTS. YOU MUST MAKE SOME NOISE TO GET OIL!!! LETS HERE SOME SQUEEKING...LOL :kodak: JIM MITSCHKE
Thanks guys for making the effort.. Seeing that my Orange car is going back to stock the pegleg 8.2 is back under it. LB 2.93.. I'd like to put some 3.42's in it and a posi carrier. :TU:
I could go for an upgrade to a 3.42 posi as well. I only have the optional factory handling package. The Riv GS originally came with both features in '69.
Definately the 3.64 ratio because so many people went after these because it was a perfect street/strip gear.
so the 64 - 67 bop 8.2 is different than the 68 - 70 8.2? this is something i didn't know. which 8.2 bop rears do the eaton units fit?
the Eaton and Auburn carriers fit the 64-67 Buick and 64?-70 pontiac housings wich have the same size carrier bearing on both sides. It does not make a whole bunch of sense in my opinion to get 3.64 gears if we are stuck using an original and weak GM carrier. it is real easy to emplode the spider gears in these things. Dont ask me how I know.
The quote from Richmond was received a few days ago, and Mark Macroubrie and I are going to try to come up with a plan to make this happen. We will post the pricing and terms as soon as we have a plan, and get feedback from a few of the resto shops and rear end guys in our Buick community. The minimum number of sets Richmond will make on the initial order (and most likely the only order) is 30 sets of each ratio, but we can order only one ratio if that's all we can justify. Obviously the more sets we order will lower the price for each set, but we need to make sure we can sell at least 30 sets to do anything. So far, only 42 board members have voted in the poll, and the 3.42 ratio is in the lead. Hopefully we can figure out a way to get at least one ratio ordered, and possibly two. Stay tuned for more info.
That's great news James. It would be great if this works out. Maybe we can get some of the Buick vendors interested in stocking some of these sets. Could help us get the number up a little. If I understood Jim(Monzaz) correctly the aftermarket 8.2 posi's can be modified to use the 3.42 set but will not accomodate the 3.64 at all. If this is true only the people that have the larger series factory carrier will be able to use the 3.64's?
I would be in for a set if they are 3.42's as I already have a carrier modified by Jim for use in the Buick housing.
Thanks Todd. We will be posting a new thread in "The Bench" (pre-orders only) for the board members who are ready to commit. Please continue to ask questions or provide opinions in this thread. If the interest in the new thread supports the 30 set minimum order, we will finally have the gear sets we have been waiting for! :beer
The pre-order thread has been started with pricing and terms: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=148993
Jim(monzaz), please forgive my "rear end" ignorance, but can you please explain exactly what I would need (parts & costs) in order to use the new 3.42 gears with my current 68 8.2 2.56 posi rear? I'm trying to weigh this against the option of simply going 8.5 71+ rear, before commiting. Not worried about originality in my situation. About all I really know is that my posi carrier is 2.56 specific.
If I had a stock 350-4, TH350, and 3.42 posi rear, what kind of rpms should I expect at 60mph? at 75mph? Does anyone know? Shawn
