66 Chevelle rearend gear swap

[Jonesy' 66]

My Chevelle is a Posi with 2.73 gears. I want to go to 3.72 Richmonds. One website indicates I need a 3.08 carrier. What does that mean? Can I do a direct swap or is there more to this that I am not aware of. I am new to all of this..... Jonesy'66, a Newbee.

[1970Ls6]

Try this link because it looks like somebody is in the same spot you are. I would agree with the answers on the link: you either need a 3 series carrier or a ring gear spacer because of the different thinknesses of the gears between a 3 series and a 2 series.

Reid

[Jonesy' 66]

Thanks, that answers one question but brings another. Do you have any info as to where I can find the 2 to 3 series spacer? Still a Newbie.... Jonesy'66

[69L72RS]

I wouldn't use a spacer if you are going to hammer on this car.
I have twisted several ring gears right off the carriers, with spacers. They often don't give the gear enough shoulder to seat properly on the carrier. JMHO

If it is just a cruiser car, you could get by with using one. They can be bought new from Summit or Jegs.

Hope this helps,
Eric

[Chevy454]

I believe you can get thicker ring gears now and elminate the spacers...

[Jonesy' 66]

I found that Mr Gasket indeeds offers such a spacer. They come in several thicknesses. Now I am on the hunt for how you determine what thickness to go with. They Start at 0.200 and go up. Anyone ever been down this road before???
Jonesy'66....... A Newbie

[Chevy454]

Jonesy...I'm telling ya, skip the spacer idea, you'd be better served trying to piss up a rope. Richmond offers a thicker ring gear set to go with a 4 series gear in a 3 or 2 series carrier...look on the Jegs website, they're there. Or, call up Randy's Ring & Pinion, they'll get you fixed up...

[Jonesy' 66]

Thanks, I'll go that route first. I am going to do this myself and also install the master rebuild kit at the same time. I have read all I can on doing the tear down and install. Kind of fuzzy on some of the inspect stuff prior to re-assembly but I think it will make more sense once I tear the rearend down. Jonesy

[scuncio]

I am pretty sure that 2-series carriers are confined to use 2-series gears. You can buy thicker gears to run 4.10+ ratios on a 3-series carrier, but there was nothing available to run a 3.07+ ratio on a 2-series carrier when I checked a couple of years ago. Coincidentally, I am looking for a 2-series posi carrier if you end up selling it. Good luck, Tony