[Lightfoot]

Hey Bliss, while you have the rear axle cover off, find the tooth count stamp on the ring gear and figure out what ratio you have.

[Bliss_Street]

Originally Posted by Lightfoot

Hey Bliss, while you have the rear axle cover off, find the tooth count stamp on the ring gear and figure out what ratio you have.

I think it's 2.73, but I'll check. It's currently taped off to keep dust out.

It's a dreary Saturday morning and my wife is out running some errands, so I thought I'd pop out and try my hand at this magic art of gasket making.

I used the brake baking plate as a template for the bolt and axle openings.



I then slid it down the axle and marked off the sealing plate. A quick trim and I set it down for a test fit.



Added some bolts to keep everything in place.



Then I dropped the backing plate over it to see how the fit was.



There is a small indent in the axle sealing plate which you see on the left there, it's not actually a misfit.

Then I went to the axle end to repeat the process. I had a bit more help then I could handle, but it went well.



But it turned out well. They look a tad rough, but they fit well. Chances are I'll make a v2.0 jus to be certain of a good seal. I labeled them due to my failing memory.



And then I set them aside, because I'm waiting on some parts and paint.



I think it worked out well. The nice thing about doing something for the first time is after going slow and figuring it all out, the 2nd time is significantly faster.

[Bliss_Street]

Originally Posted by Lightfoot

Hey Bliss, while you have the rear axle cover off, find the tooth count stamp on the ring gear and figure out what ratio you have.

This is the only stamping on the gear that I could see. Is there a key to decipher it? It turns roughly once for every 3 turns of the yoke, so the 2.73 the is listed in the manual could be right. There is a large 'D' cast into the diff housing, so I guessed I have the 'UD' one listed on page 4B-5 of the manual. It has it checked off for Cat 2 hard top and 400 2 bbl.

It took a bit longer then I had hoped, but life has a way of getting busy sometimes. I got the whole axle and diff housing cleaned up with a wire wheel and elbow grease. Primarily to remove grime and loose rust. The whole thing is cast iron and virtually indestructible.



There is it is, mostly clean and wiped down with a degreaser.



I stood it on end to allow me to paint it with out having to flip it over. It got a healthy coat of or rust preventative.



Then a nice coat of chassis coating.



I laid out the new gasket on the diff cover. Held it in place with 2 bolts.



and hand tightened all 10



They got torqued down in a star pattern to 25 foot pounds.

It will sit overnight to let the paint cure. On Tuesday I'll install the new bushings and start getting the 1/2 shafts and brakes back into their respective ends. Then filled with 4 1/2 pints of 90 weight gear oil to see if the gaskets are sealing. Then install the new wheel studs.