Hey Guys, I'm pretty new to this site, but I have done alot of reading and learning from the things you all have posted. Thanks I have a 1971 Buick Skylark with an 8.5 open carrier with 2.73 gears and from what members are saying the 3.23 is the happy medium for street performance so I took that advice. I bought a set of 3.23 (13 42) gears and went hunting for a carrier. I just picked up a complete rear end out of a 1979 caprice/ impala with 2.41 (17 41)gears and a posi carrier. Here's where it gets weird: The carrier says 410408 N which should be for 3 series gears. Shouldn't it be a 410409 N for a 2.41 gear set??? I was planning on buying the correct shim kit from Mr. Gasket, but now I am confused. Thanks, Matt
I have taken many pics and looked very closley at the last number, but maybe it is a 9. Were the castings that similar between the 8 and 9? It only makes sense that it is a 9 but it really looks like an 8 when you are looking at it "in person". Thanks, Matt
It is a 9. They should have use numbers more far apart or look different...lol. The BIG numbers on all 4 corners will be '9' There is NO way 2.41 gears will fit the case with a 410408 carrier. Just get a spacer and bolt them 3.23 gears on and you will be good to go. All the bearings from 410409 and 410408 and even the open 2-3 series carriers will be identical. MAKE sure the spacer kit comes with the correct length bolts (a KIT) do not just buy a spacer and use stock bolts IT WILL FAIL! If you use the correct bolts it will more than do the job for street strip application to the 12 sec range easy. If you can not find the spacers I have them if you need. Just PM and will get you set up...or anything else you might need. JIm
