Series 2 and 3 rears

[mikester]

Well I found out another thing about my wagon today. When I bought it I was told it had a Monte SS rear in it. I knew it was a posi rear but I had no idea what it had for gears. Today I found out. 3:23. Not my first choice.
The guy that built the motor in my 81 stuck new axle bearings, seals, and a new pinion seal in for me today. He gave me the info about the ratio.
I started thinking (a dangerous thing in itself). Should I stay with those gears or should I step it up a notch to 3:42 or 3:73 ?
And whats the difference between series 2 and 3 ?

 

[DRIVEN]

Nothing wrong with 3.23s. What's the rest of your combo?

 

[TURNA]

Series 2 - 7.5" carrier uses a 308 gear and down series 3 uses anything above that.3.23, 3.42, 3.73 etc

7.5 inch is the oddball

Usually a series 2 would be the gears starting with a 2, and a 3 series a 3.

I do believe the make gears that are series 3 ratios that will fit series 2 carriers.
They will be marked or stamped if they do.

 

[mikester]

Nothing wrong with 3.23s. What's the rest of your combo?

Series 2 - 7.5" carrier uses a 308 gear and down series 3 uses anything above that.3.23, 3.42, 3.73 etc

7.5 inch is the oddball

Usually a series 2 would be the gears starting with a 2, and a 3 series a 3.

I do believe the make gears that are series 3 ratios that will fit series 2 carriers.
They will be marked or stamped if they do.

So how would I know what series housing I have ? Its not stamped anywhere ? I spoke to the previous owner yesterday and he said he got the rear from a yard, pulled the original ring and pinion out and put in the 3:23s. He was pretty sure it had 3:73s but I have no idea if the guys right since it was at least 16 years ago.

 

[mikester]

Nothing wrong with 3.23s. What's the rest of your combo?

350/330 crate motor, TH350 in a wagon. I still need a converter.

 

[TURNA]

The stamp is on the ring gear

 

[fleming442]

There are "thick" gears that down-convert. It's pretty obvious that they are much thicker than a standard gear. I've seen them for 4 down to 3 and 3 down to 2.

 

[pontiacgp]

If you are going to stick with a 3 speed transmission I would keep the 3.23.

 

[DRIVEN]

^^100% agree^^
3.23 is a great all around ratio without an overdrive. You wouldn't really notice a change to 3.42 enough to justify the hassle and 3.73s get buzzy on the freeway.

To answer your question, if it actually came from an SS and originally had 3.73s then got upgraded to 3.23s, it's a 3-series.

 

[pontiacgp]

^^100% agree^^
3.23 is a great all around ratio without an overdrive. You wouldn't really notice a change to 3.42 enough to justify the hassle and 3.73s get buzzy on the freeway.

To answer your question, if it actually came from an SS and originally had 3.73s then got upgraded to 3.23s, it's a 3-series.

didn't the SS switch from 3.42 to 3.73 in 85?