rear diff help

im after finding out

a. what rear end i have
b. what gears i have
and c. what would be the best option

so 1st how can i tell what rear diff i have, are they easily noticeable, or do i need to search for a serial number

2nd how can i find out what gears i have.

3rd ive done a few burnouts but only spins passenger side wheel, always spins that wheel, if i drive around a right hand bend, car wants to step out, but go round a left handd bend and car bitesinto ground and push me round, when i expect it to step out.

any help, or links would be grateful

cheers

 

We cannot help you unless we know the year, model, engine option, trans and whether it was US or Canadain plant made.

 

idiot me, sorry its a 1968 buick skylark custom with a 350-4

dont really know a lot more about it

 

auto trans? 2 speed?

Look at the cowl tag for the ID number to verify the plant .

If it is US plant made it is a 68-70 Buick only 8.2" rear. There are no gear sets currently made for it. Standard rear is a 2.73 ratio.

 

You have an 8.2" rear...most likely you have 2.56 or 2.73 gears.

 

anything i can do to upgrade to a posi, or am i looking at a change in axel?

its auto yeah

 

sorry didnt see this post.

 

You could but unless you fork over about 400 bucks just for the 3.42 gear sets we are hopefullu having made and another 400 plus for a carrier it is not going to happen. There is a chance you might find some used units. Another option is to convert to a 8.5 rear and carrier.

 

check out my comments on this previous post. they may shed some light on the subject.
http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=94657

 

thought id take a picture of the diff casing today, just to make sure

 

cheers yuk, the cars up in the air at the mo, as im having some new tyres fitted, so will try this tomorrow

 

Looks like the <TABLE height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle width=131></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=bottom align=middle width=131><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>'64-'72 GM 12 bolt to me.

Anyone else?

Devon

 

if it is, are there any aftermarket parts available??

 

Bazillions.

Let some of the more knowledgable folks chime in before you go spending any money, though...

Devon

 

Well you are a lucky guy and not lucky guy. The rear you have is a Chevy 12 bolt and many parts are avaiable and descently priced...Bad news it is a chevy part in your buick car....lol.

Really though you do have a good diff to rebuild and get parts for. Keep it and save some money for parts.

Specs for what you have
12 bolt chevy (true 12 bolt witrh 12 bolts that hold the ring gear on)
pinion shaft size 1.625
ring gear size diameter 8.875
years it was in service 1965-1972
Cars you can find these rears in
- 1967-1970 Camaro
-1965-1972 A-body (grand prix, buick, olds, chevelle, monte carlo, elcamino, Impala, nova ) 12 bolt truck gear will not fit this housing !!!
many many many parts are available for these rears.

axle codes are on the passenger tube facing forward between the spring perch and the cast center section usually 2 letter on a buick like LE then numbers and another letter etc.

Good luck.


I can also quote you some prices if you wish. Jim

 

if you could jim, im after some sort of posi, with the ability to draw 11's and give me better acceleration.

mark

 

Mark if you intend to get into the 11s you are going to need a new engine first. I would start there. Changing the rear ito a higher numerical number is going to make the car less street friendly unless you go to an overdrive transmission.

 

i meant burnouts, not 11s, engine is a 350 with a comp cam 268h, im told its got an 800cfm thermal carb and its had the heads ported and polished, other than that, im unsure of where to go now, not after massive power, but wouldnt mind stepping up into the 400+ area