67 GS gear

Looking for a couple of quick verification/answers (or a longer “what the hell” if you’re up for it).

67 GS 430 (the 400 was toast) 3spd auto non SP (it’s in the shop. Next project). Put a 3.55 gear on the stock carrier when rehabbing. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but after 500+ miles I’m going to go back to the stock 2.92 or a 3.08. First gear will get me off the line just fine with the longer gear, and I want the 500-600 rpm back at cruse. My questions:

-Source for an 8.2 BOP 3.08/2.92 gear? Been online and no joy from the usual suspects. Perhaps used from one of you who’s gone numerically higher? And, the stock 2.92 has part of a pinion tooth missing, so no joy reusing.

-I have about 5 degrees (at the tire) of play in the spiders. If it was a TR2 I’d replace it, but not sure on the original carrier. Thoughts?

pic attached for ID purposes. I assumed it’s a BOP, but one of the gear guys asked if I was sure it was a BOP and not a “Buick” rear end (??).

 

Ok, Well using the term BOP is dangerous... That is a BUICK 10 bolt 8.2 rear.
Bearing caps are a dead give away.
Same as Pontiac 1964 -1969 RING AND PINION... cover gasket and axle shafts as long as the rear is NOT A GS...(YOURS IS!!!) so you should have wagon axles of the same 67 yeat as long as the REAR IS ORIGINAL to your car.
Next looks like you have a ring gear spacer kit to hold those gears on your carrier...??? Y/N?
There are NO aftermarket 2.93 3.08 or 3.23 ratios for the Buick or Pontiac 8.2.
You will need to find a GOOD used set or a OEM part that has been on the shelf forever...lol.
I had a few about 2 months ago but am out again...
expect to pay pretty big for these gears especially 3.23 they are highly saute after.
That Buick rear will take a 8620 pinion seal which MOST kits do not include. It is expensive and we keep them on the shelf in stock.
Jim Mitschke
JD Race

 

Do you know how many times I’ve passed those up simply because I didn’t want them sitting here. Let me retrace my steps.
I also have a customer with one of these rears that wants a mid-3 ratio. He currently has 2:73’s(supposedly). I won’t know until it’s open.

 

A second option for you.
Put in a 200 4r overdrive trans.
Thats exactly what i did when i went from a 2.93 gear to a 3.55 in my 67 gs.
Makes for best of both worlds. Good accel and cruises on the highway .
Also I believe i have a rear under the bench from a 67 special that has a 2.78 gear.
I would disassemble and sell u the gear set if u wanted to go that route assuming its in healthy shape.

 

Thanks all. I have the original switch pitch tranny sitting in the shop as a 'future' project, but an OD trans wouldn't suck. I just figured putting the 'stock' gear back in would be a simple afternoon project, but the take-off has a chipped tooth, and, well, I've now found out what you all know....the replacements ain't available. Although, as I'm driving I keep thinking "just one more gear" would be perfect.....maybe I should price out a 200 4r.....

Thanks Jim for the info. When I did the gear, the shop I got the parts from insisted it was a BOP. But, now that I'm looking through the invoices (from 2003), I see and now remember it took a couple of try's to get the proper seals, bearings, etc. Your post explains that. Thanks. And yes, a spacer on the stock carrier to accommodate the 3.55 gears.

Still an easier/cheaper 'fix' for me to do the gear. Not sure about a 2.73, but am sure it would be plenty drivable. If available I'd go with a 3.08, but might be in a 'beggars can't be' situation. LMK if a gear set in good shape turns up under a workbench.

 

How bad is the chip? if it's somewhat small grind the sharp edges off and run it.

 

Looks like there was a little trauma prior to me getting the car. No chunks when I pulled it apart, so it was rolling like this for a while. Might be a bit much to put back in….

 

Do NOT use that.

 

Ya think?? (I'd post a laughing/WTFO emoji, but, you know....old guy skillz....)

 

Just checked the GV add on OD. Interesting option. I think in my situation for the cost I'd go with the OD tranny, but if I had the original SP in the car and it was actually working properly this would be a great option.

 

You’d be surprised(maybe not),the number of people that would waste their time to cobble that back together,only to have it fail again and repeat. They must think they will live forever.

 

Yeah, I've still got a chipped 6th gear tooth in the track car tranny, (T56...shoulda got the gear a tick warmer before pressing) but it's tiny (and filed/ground) and only used on the cool down lap. The one that came out of the GS is toast. The interesting thing is you can see where the chip dragged across the teeth of the pinion on it's way out, but the ring gear doesn't have a mark. So, someone pulled the carrier and replaced the ring, but probably read up on doing a pinion and decided it was fine as is.

 

"Do not be afraid..." Love it.

I see my simple gear change is going to turn into another project. Live and learn. I keep going back to my first 500 mile impression of that if I just had another notch in the tranny this would be a very drivable combo. Tossing the original back in would have been an easy cheap test to see if I really wanted to go 2k into an OD or if the gear would work. As that's not an option I'll wait and see if someone turns up a 2.73/2.93/3.08 gear and do some learning on over drive options.

 

125 bucks plus shipping for this 2.78 gear set if its healthy.
But i need some word of dedication before i dig the entire rear out from under the mess its under and disassemble it.....

 

Sold. Price is right even if it sits on the bench for a future build. PM me a PP address and I'll pre pay a deposit as a 'dedication'....you can refund if it's mangled.

 

Another option is to install a BOP 8.5 rear. Much greater parts availability and stronger. It's slightly wider.

 

The BOP cars had the wider width rear starting in 66,so the 71-72 8.5” would be the same width as what he has now.