Mix & match 8.5 parts

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randyrhr
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Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2011 12:34 am

Mix & match 8.5 parts

Post by randyrhr »

I have a 3.42 gear set and posi unit from a 91 Caprice (police). It has the ABS sensor "gear" on the pinion shaft. It has 30 spline side gears and 30 spline pinion. The original installation used C clips.

I have a 71 Buick 8.5 housing with bolt-in flanges. It was originally a 2.56 open unit . I want to install the 91 setup into the 71 housing. A trial fit shows that it installs easily. This will be used in a 67 GS 400 with a mild build 455 (Stage 1), street only.

Are the carrier and pinion bearings/seals the same for this housing and the 91 setup - I didn't disassemble all the pieces but the items I could measure all seem to be the same?

Can you get axle shafts for me that use the 71 bolt-in bearings/seals, 5 on 4 3/4 stud pattern, and have the 30 spline ends on them?

Thanks for any info.
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monzaz
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Re: Mix & match 8.5 parts

Post by monzaz »

all 8.5 CARRIER posi OR non posi ARE INTERCHANGEABLE
yOU WILL NEED TO HAVE THE CORRECT AXLE SPLINE TO GO WITH YOUR CHOSEN CARRIER.

Pinion bearings are the same in all 8.5
Carrier bearing will again depend on the year housing and or aftermarket or stock carrier unit being used.

Your 30 spline 1990-1996 carrier will bolt right into your 1971 1972 Buick 10 bolt 8.5 housing as long as you buy the aftermarket 30 spline axles that match that unit.
The 3.42 gears are the same from 1970-2010 THE ABS collar should be removed if your housing is not made for ABS JUST TO BE SAFE. It presses right off.

IN your case - You will need the standard 1970-1996 bearing rebuild kit. It will have all the same bearings and seals that are needed.

In 1999 era the kits changed and the hub for the carrier bearing was increased in size using the a36 set (chevy 12 bolt carrier 1965-1972 era bearings) The seals and yoke also had a slight modification to a 3 lip seal compared to the old 2 lip seal.

Jim
J D Race
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