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My rear diff. cover developed a small hole in it this past weekend. I removed it today only to discover two chipped teeth on my ring gear. I did not find any pieces of gear in there but the oil was somewhat chuncky. I put a new cast aluminum caver on it, filled it with oil, drove it 50 miles with a load of firewood in the bed and heard nothing out of the rear. I am planning to change the gears, but shouldn't this thing make some kind of awful noises as is? Mike.
(2) consecutive teeth on the ring gear? or just (2) teeth? If it's (2)consecutive you probably won't hear a BAD noise till it takes out 3,4,5...........!
It might last longer if you took the rough burrs from broken teeth with a die grinder.
Depends on where the chips are. The heel is better than the toe. Hopefully there not side by side. Like Dave says, it would be good to remove the sharp edge. Those chunks that are now gone are most likely up front in the pinion cavity. I've noticed they tend to migrate there. You might take apart the diff and check the oiling passages. Better yet, replace the gears. I've seen them pretty cheap for stock stuff. Find someone who is changing ratios and buy their set. Used gears will set up fine 90% of the time. Be sure and do something pretty soon. Having those chunks drift into a running gear set can be really bad including lock up. On the freeway that could lead to bad things. Good luck with it...
Mike,
I have a set of rear stock gear you can have, just pay the shipping.
PaulC
Thanks for the input. I'm planning on swapping to 4.88 or 4.56 gears. Does anyone have a preference of manufacture, like Richmond gears?
Mike Petrus
I think 4.88s are not available any more for this old Dana70s. With 0.5 pinion offset. It is available for newer with .625 pinion offset.
4.56 are available.
You have to keep in mind that the teeth broke at a time when 100% of the teeth were there. Now you are spreading the same load on a lower number of teeth, increasing the stress on the teeth. I would fix that right away.
running a 350/th400 tranny , i wonder if the stock ratio with 44's will push the old girl up past 60 mph's ? still in the bench racing stage . have the all the parts .
I recommend checking your pinion bearing. A dancing pinion will chip ring gear teeth in a hurry. I can run 60 with my truck on 36s, but it is screaming! With 44s you should be ale to cruise 60. I have a 305 Chevrolet with a low rpm Comp Cams cam shaft and Edelbrock intake, works good, gets around 13 mpg at 48 mph. Glen
I agree with what was posted above...check the diff for a loose pinion bearing/worn bearing condition...then take a good hard look at the spider gears as well. Either will require removal of the diff assembly to properly examine and confirm the cause of the chipped gear/clean debri..if you find nothing wrong just smooth the chipped area as was suggested, and go about life.
as a note... I know a few places still have the 4.88's in stock for the older Dana 70's as I was just recently talking to a gent that ordered a set for a old Dodge...but I have no idea who he bought them from. around 1974 or older Dodge trucks with a rear 70 will have the correct offset R & P for your axle and they were commonly built with 4.88 gears also, if a used set is in order....front 4.88's for the Dana 60 are a little harder to find..but mid 60's Ford 3/4 ton 4x4's used 4.88's and a rear R & P from one of these would fit your front diff nicely... and if you get lucky you may fine one with a power-lok limmited slip as well..;-)
NoRM
The truck is scheduled to get a ring and pinion swap this summer. There is a local guy that has been building rears and transmissions for over 40 years. He says he can get the 4.88's from Reider Racing. I'll post the info. when I get it. Mike
Hey Mike, go to Randy's Ring and Pinion site and play with their rpm calculator. 5.87's, 44's should net you sixty under 3000 rpm. Check it out...
I'm only running 37's. 5.87's+ $2.40/gallon fuel+ heavy right foot= angry pool builder. 4.88's will be the happy medium. Mike.
44 inch tires with 5.87 gears is almost exactly the same rpm at 60 as 4.56 on the stock 34 inch tire....all depends what you want, but just as a point of reference.
brute4c
I would really like 44's, but the canvas just scuffs the garage opening when I park in the garage. So I'm stickin with 37's.
Garage?? You can actually park in yours?? Man, you don't have enough stuff!!Quote:
Originally Posted by poolmike
Rich
Well, a buddy of mine has his '68 GTO in my garage. I disassembled it, had the chassis blasted, painted it w/POR15, and reassembled w/ all new bushings, disc brakes etc... By July I should have the fresh motor/trans back and the body back on, then its off to the body shop. THEN ol' rusty gets her garage back. Mike
Let me know what it feels like...bought the house in '95, had one car in there for about 2 weeks, ain't seen a vehicle in it since. 2 car garage, too!
Rich
2 Car Garage = 7 Motorcycle Garage(1 0ld Beemer mid restoration, 6 riders) M715 sits outside
I am gonna buy her a Carport soon!