Am I missing something? Someone set me straight.

[DRIVEN]

I've been collecting parts for my car since I bought it in August. All the parts I have gathered so far are a result of research done on this forum. My parts list is in my sig and my plan is to get ALL the parts and upgrade everything at once. So this morning I called Speedway to order parts, among those were a ring gear spacer and a gear-set installation kit (bearing, seals). The sales person said there is a note on the install kit that it is for '81 and up, but there was no info on why. So here are my questions. What's the difference between pre-'81 and '81-up? Is it the carrier or the housing? Am I boned? Here is my specs:
*1979 Cutlass housing
*2-series Auburn posi from 1989 Camaro (26 spline)
*3.42 gears from 1990 S-10 Blazer

 

[beermonkey9417]

it might be the difference of the rear main seal. i think, dont quote me on this, that pre 81 had a two piece RMS and after 81 had a 1 piece RMS. thats all i could think of.

 

[DRIVEN]

Rear main seal? In the Rear end? Are we talking about the same thing?

 

[DRIVEN]

Anyone? Someone has to have the answer here.

 

[kingcolbert83]

Anyone? Someone has to have the answer here.

I would preferably get the install kit for your year. It may not be that much of a difference but it could be enough to make you be like wtf when you get to measuring stuff. My question is should you be getting the install kit for your year car or for that year gear set. Since there is a difference in the pre 80 and post 80 I would think that the gear set you have from the blazer would be different too.

 

[monte olrac]

It's just parts indexing im sure, there shouldn't be any difference, but to make sure see what the parts on the 80's model and would be. Also i used a spacer in my rear and MAKE SURE you have assorted shims and take your backlash reading before you disassemble your rearend, if you are using a old gear set backlash is going to be around .020 -.025 hope this helps

 

[DRIVEN]

I have a drawer full of shims. I was just wondering what the split was all about. I thought all 7.5s were the same. Oh well, parts are on order. Thanks for the input.