['ol Pinion head]

Brian, The 3.42's spoken of above, fit '71-81 F-body & most '73-77 A-body, same corporate 8.5 gear. They are still used today in 1/2 ton pickup.

The carrier jump is from 2.56 to 2.73. Jon has a 2.41-2.56, #9 carrier, & needs to get to the lower ratio #8 carrier to mount the 3.42's, so he'll need a spacer & the washers. Those spacer kits ought to come with the washers. Failure to use the washers will cause the bottom 3 threads on the bolt to strip. Since the bolts are LH thread, regular hardware store type lockwashers will spread open & not lock.

Jon, BTW, if you have not ordered the gears, might consider ordering some 3.42 US Gear Torqueline gears from Jegs. I have had more than my fair share of noise problems setting up the Richmond 8.5 gears over the last two years. Back 4 or 5 years ago, never had problems with the Richmond 8.5's, but can't say that today.

[This message has been edited by 'ol Pinion head (edited 09-28-2001).]