Just wanted to know how sturdy it will be if I put a 3.42 gear set in place of the 2.56 gears I have in there now using a spacer ring.Any info or constructive criticism is welcome.Thanks
Correctly installed, the 8.5 ring gear spacers can be used in a streetcar at the track down into 1.90 60 foot times. Quicker than that, smart to use the correct ratio carrier. Most ring gear spacer horror storys are related by guys who long ago used ring gear spacers on '55-64 Chevy posi carriers or on Chevy 8.2 10 bolts. In both cases the ring gear bolts are smaller ID. Correct installation requires more than what is in the Mr Gasket or Summit 8.5 ring gear spacer kit or instructions! One will need 10 hardened small block chevy head bolt washers, as 8.5 ring gear bolts are LH thread, & common hardware store lock washers will spread when torqued to the LH. The Mr Gasket hardened head bolt come 34 to a pack... around $6.99 a package. Can be ordered when ring gear spacer is ordered. Have to ask, as not in the Summit catalogue. Without the hardened washers, the ring gear bolts in the 8.5 spacer kit are slightly too long & one will strip the bottom 2 or 3 threads on the new ring bolts. Have been using the combination of the hardened SBC headbolt washers & red loctite when installing 8.5 rin gear spacers for over 10 years, zero problems when correctly installed! :3gears: Roger
Might be apples and oranges but I was running mid 1:50 60fts with a spacer in a 12 bolt, It broke the stock spider gears after about 5 runs but the ring gear never moved.
spacers Same here...I have tested the theory of spacers causing problems and have NOT had a problem yet with 12 bolt and 8.5. Yes it is proper to use the correct carrier but sometimes it is more convinent to use a spacer to see if it is the ratio you want. Again, Installation is essential. Use all the proper washers when needed and the proper length bolts. I think they got a bad rap because people used the stock length bolts which is a BIG NO NO. :spank: Take care, Jim
