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Author
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Topic: New Gear Installation
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skips69
Gearhead Posts: 337
From: Catlin, IL USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 06-08-2001 06:54 AM
   
I've never attempted to swap gears before, always instead opting to pay more for a 3rd member that had a good ratio in it already installed. How difficult is it to swap gears yourself? I would hate to spend $200 for a set of gears and the installation kit, only to end up with disastrous results. Any advice, tips, instructions, mistakes made, stories that anyone wants to share? I'm seriously considering putting in a set of 3:50 gears in my 69' FB, originally equipped with the commonly equipped 3:00 to 1 set it currently has. Thanks to all who want to respond.
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70grande
Journeyman Posts: 81
From: Renton, Washington
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 06-08-2001 09:50 AM
i have read and made many phone calls on this subject after the research i opted to have my gears changed at the shop. they have all the proper dails to set all the correct meshes. the job is just to tedeious and has to be perfect, to much for this home garage monkey  . i had my gears changed from 2.75 to 3.50. it took the shop about 2 hrs, that included all new bearings. you might what to keep that in mind. i had 130,000 miles on mine, lots of wear. all in all it cost $130 in labor and about $130 in bearings, and the original gear cost. that was with me removing the pumpkin and taking it in. i think its well worth having it done professionally.------------------
1970 Grande 3.50 9",4 wheel disc, gt40-cobra rims(soon) 351W, Calypso Coral, Severe state of restomod
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steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 8796
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 06-08-2001 10:41 AM
Skip,I set-up gears myself, but I had a pro check my work on my first swap. The manuals cover the procedure pretty well. You should buy a pinion depth tool, a dial indicator, an inch pounds torque wrench, 4ft 1/2 or 3/4"drive breaker bar, etc. Several hundred dollars worth of equipment, and really not worth it unless you plan on doing several swaps.
There is a method of swapping the ring and pinion with just a pair of dial calipers, but it should be left to the more advanced mechanic. This method assumes that the existing ring and pinion were properly set up.
Anyway, after all this, I agree with 70grande, pull the pumpkin and take it to a pro.  SteveW
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tempo1993
Gearhead Posts: 583
From: CT, the home of high taxes
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 06-08-2001 12:49 PM
Ahhhh... rears....fun... I guess if you know right out what you're doing, and got the tools to do it, it's not bad, I do them in my driveway occasionally. But, I've also done quite a few of them myself and know pretty well what I'm doing :\ In the end, it's easyer to bring it to a shop, have them do it, rather then mess up on something small and pay for it later. So I agree also, remove the rear, take it in.
~Scott~
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