Hi guys, I was ready to swap my gears on my 75' Electra today but it seems that I didn't order the right ones. The differential carrier was junk as well so I'll need to replace it. It looks like a GM 8.5 but the axles had 31 splines on them. Could you guys link me a new carrier for my application, as well as the 3.42 gears I am looking for ? Thanks!!
Post a picture of the axle with cover, a couple of our resident axle experts will ID it for you. You may have what I have, a 8.875 Pontiac. There's also an Olds 9.3 that's found under a lot of Rivs.
From what I saw/measured, it really seems like it is a 8.75 w/ 31 splines. The cover is exactly like a 8.75 10 bolts.
If it is the 8.875 or the post 1970 9.3, there are no reproductions. Post for used. Compare your cover to this 8.875: https://www.randysworldwide.com/differential-identification-gm/
Just carefully read Luxus' thread about his rear end investigation. It turns out my inner bearing pinion measures 1.875, so my rear end is most definitely a 8.875. So frankly, my best bet is to look up for any used part ?
Welcome to the club! Good news it's a fairly stout rear end. Bad news is there is zero aftermarket support for it. So yes, used only. This is the place where I got my used 3.08 upgrade (over the original 2.73): https://www.frankspontiacparts.com/engineparts/suspensionparts.htm There's a guy that has made a new 3.55 upgrade for our rears. He's out of stock right now but claims he will do another run soon. If your interested, call him and add your name to the list. It's a bit pricey, but we don't have much choice here. https://fabcraftmetalworks.com/product/rear-axlera4-09355/
Yup I did find both of those links on your thread The fact that there isn't any repro is a bit bumming, it'll put a damper in the schedule... but hey we can't help it!
Well that sucks. When I last spoke to him, he was thinking maybe this September. Well it is what it is.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Garbage is ment for the website NOT your post.... just to clear that up. That wizard crap site is garbage for cars. Do not bother. Your looking at the wrong 8.875 It is a Pontiac 8.875 or which I doubt is a 8.75 c-clip rear. 31 spline which came in mostly A-bodys in that era... So see if is is bolt in axles or c-clip axles. If it is a 8.75 your doomed If it is a 8.875 Fabcraft will have the one 3.55 set...IF they make it. PINION DIAMETER is the difference. 8.75 has a 1.625 pinion diameter 8.875 will have the 1.875 pinion diameter like the older 1965-1970 version (but will be 28 spline yoke) Where as the 1971 -1976 version is 30 spline . So really either or your in for the hunt of your life to get any kind of performance parts. Easier to just find a 10 bolt 8.5 out of a lower HP full size 1971 -1976 fill size car and install that into your Electra. You can get all the posi units and gears and bearings you want and they are up gradable to 30 spline if you can afford to purchase bolt in axles. Jim JD Race
So Jim that 8.5 out of a full size car, would that be a direct bolt in? Or would it involve modifications to the mounting points (welding)?
1971 -1976 are all direct bolt in rears to each other...Hence the CORPORATE era of GM... ALL the A bodys 73 - 77 interchange with each other weather they are bolt in axle or c-clip axle Then GM in 1978 -1987 all BBody rears were the 73-77 Abody rears...Except for the Wagons... lol. Everything shrank. also.
