Here's my questions how these don't make too many of you guys upset. I will be purchasing a 71 72 electra or limited and I wanted to know what should I be looking for in the case I wanted to link a posi rear end up to it? The next question is that I will be rolling 22" or 24" wheels and is there anything that I should be looking out for in gear ratios for the rear end and possibly a tranny any info would be greatly appreciated. thanx :TU:
If you do that with your tire you are unlikely to find the upper number 9 3/8 gears as they are not remade and those ratios are hard to find used.
1971-1972 high ratio posi would be 3.42 while the peg-leg is 2.93. 1973 posi is 3.23 and peg-leg is 2.73.
In 71-72, the Electra standard ratio is 2.73, while the performance ratio was 2.93. Both could be had in a positraction carrier. BUT, Rob is right with the other specs. LeSabre (big block), Centurion, Riviera, and Estate Wagon ratios were 2.93 and 3.42. Both could also be had in positraction. The Riv GS had a standard 3.42 positraction rear.
posi Thanx fellas for the replies so far. There's only one problem I have absolutly no idea what you guys are talking about o No: ou: . I just know with my old electra when I chose to jet off from a light it felt un even on the take off, due to just that one wheel putting forth the effort. This is where I came up with this concept, but I didn't want it to give me the traction that I want, and then later it's parked due to the wheel/tire combo that I will be running ruining everything. Does anybody know where I could find what I need possibly on ebay, I need to know basically which ratio is the best candidate for the job and possibly a price for it, if it's still available. Also, are you guys saying that I could basically gut out the differential that will come with the car and have the new ratio put in, if so any info on me doing it myself or a reputable shop in the Wisconsin area would be greatly appreciated. thanx much :TU:
The easiest way to change the rear gear ratio, is to find a rear out of another car, and just swap the whole thing out. Best all-around driving/performance gears are a 3.23. These were standard in the 1973 Riv GS, and optional in all the 1973 big cars with the 455. There is NO aftermarket for these rears. You can't open up a Jegs catalog and buy a ring and pinion.
electra rearend So, smartin the 3.23 out of any one of the 73 car's that you have will do? Also how can I find out which one it is is there a plate or something on the rearend? Also with this be my best bet for the 22 or 24 inch wheels I'll have on the car? One more question is will I run the risk of messing the tranny or engine up with this swap? :TU:
As long as you get a rear end out of a 71-73 big car with a 455, you can do a direct swap...no messing with transmissions or driveshafts. If you change gear ratios, your speedometer will read incorrectly.
There is a metal tag on one of the bolts of the rear end. However it could have been removed throughout the years so it is always wise to check anyways. As Adam said it is easy to swap out the complete drum-to-drum rear ends.
The tag will only be present if it were a posi rear. the tag will remind you to use posi additive when changing fluid. It will not tell you what the gear ratio is.
Finding a posi rear is a real *itch. I have looked at maybe 20 cars in the last 2.5 years and only one has had the posi rear end. They're out there, but not exactly like bic mac hamburgers.
finding them is easier in the full size car most station wagons had them even more so if it had a big block check the front of the axle tube on the passenger side for these leters they corespond with these gears in posi LT-2.56 GEARS LO-2.73 LS-3.08 LW-3.42
