[transam1972]

Originally Posted by necdb3

Glenn,

I'm glad you changed your mind and decided to leave the car it's original color. L/B is much more rare and an awesome color.

Dave

...it was as if I awoke from a dream..and only one reality...Lucerne blue..in this instance, I was wrong

[transam1972]

I was wondering if the stamp means anything?...most likely whatever that exterior stamp on the housing..is whats inside..I may be wrong and really do want to solve this mystery (wheres Shaggy?)...of course gear ratios are important...with a changed axle...did the gear ratio change?..and how does that affect the T/A?...so still a lot of mystery to solve...

[165th]

Here's a pick showing the location of the ring gear ID. This rear end has an 11:41 or 3.73:1 gear ratio.

[transam1972]

165TH..I will check this axle some more..but I would like your help confirming what axle this is..a 1976/...either removed from a new or used car..(statues have worn off by now)...can we determine the gear ratio??...hard to believe the 1972 guts were installed...whats your opinion on 72 455 H.O. auto with a/c gear ratio?...factory vs. what is in this axle assuming its a 1976 with that part #?...THANKS!!

[165th]

I think HFR has confirmed the PX is from a '76 TA. Definitely a replacement rear end.

The gear ratio will be the numbers stamped on the ring gear like the ones in my last picture. Just turn the axle until those numbers appear. Divide the big number by the little number and whala... gear ratio example 42/11 = 3.73:1

As far as what gear ratio to use... That's a matter of opinions and type of use you will have. A lot of long highway trips.... 3.08:1. Cruising around town, maybe something a little lower. Drag racing... there's even more opinions on that one.

Keep in mind the 455HO is a torque monster, so a gear ratio to compliment the torque is something to think about too.

Standard gear ratio for AC/Auto is 3.08:1
Standard gear ratio for 4spd is 3.42:1

I think 3.23:1 is pretty good. It's right in between.

I went stock 3.42:1 for my 4spd car, and chose 3.73:1 for my automatic because I want it to jump like a rabbit


Oh... and great decision to keep her Lucy Blue!

[transam1972]

WOW!!..thanks 165TH...I need to know this...I most likely will never know why..I suppose my worst thoughts are a tall gear and a screaming rear end dragging on the H.O...but I have driven this car and she purrs like a kitten...just no more surprises as far as the #s go!..thanks !..we will fill in the blanks!!..I can get the tool to fix the exhaust hole..a long shot here..does anyone have a extra exhaust pipe mounting bracket?.interesting as it mounts at an angle...as I lost one..please?!..any suggestions as to how to remove the original tips?..heat?..then work off??..thanks!!

[Held for Ransom]

The brake mounting holder welded to the tube told me it was '76-newer. But, they re-used the old brake lines. And maybe the old pinion yoke.

Tips were probably bought thru the dealership as exhaust has been replaced.

Taken from this thread is usually what happens to the rear, requiring replacement.
http://www.forums.maxperformanceinc....d.php?t=433662



Your stamping on the Posi unit looks to have been assembled on Jan. 9th, 1975, 1st shift. And here is what numbers to look for...

[transam1972]

A typical day in the poor mans garage,...I believe in tripping over honeycombs and $ is never enough...but in no matter what garage you may own..honeycombs are my favorite!!

[transam1972]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

The brake mounting holder welded to the tube told me it was '76-newer. But, they re-used the old brake lines. And maybe the old pinion yoke.

Tips were probably bought thru the dealership as exhaust has been replaced.

Taken from this thread is usually what happens to the rear, requiring replacement.
http://www.forums.maxperformanceinc....d.php?t=433662



Your stamping on the Posi unit looks to have been assembled on Jan. 9th, 1975, 1st shift. And here is what numbers to look for...

I noticed that too !!....not bad, better than me!..how the..?...THANKX!! HFR..

[transam1972]

the fumes..the one screw is perfect for being in correctly stored..gotta love GM workers

[transam1972]

I appreciate the help..are these the #s?

[165th]

Those are the numbers. The first number is probably the GM part number.

42 13 = 3.23:1

[transam1972]

THANKS for your help 165TH!!!.now to get a gasket and waiting on a muffler!....any big difference from the original axle to this?...just wondering

[transam1972]

kind of a stand still as I am waiting for parts..sometimes its like the $ pit..no matter how much $ you throw at it...it never gets done...and sometimes wanting seems more fun than getting...I don't get it sometimes..it feels interesting wanting to see the car blue with the black/white stripe...mind you white is fantastic, but it is sort of in your face..like , here I am..how can you not notice my white/blue stripe TRANS AM..where as Lucerne blue seems a bit more classy...from the side view a little bit less noticible...and GM never seemed to ever use any of the blue T/As in any 70 -72 advertising or brochures...always the white cars..plus since I prefer honeycombs they definately give the car a different look than rally 2s..anyway I have been reflecting on past bought items for the car..the Legendary upper deluxe door panels were one of my best/important scores that are my favorite..I hope more replace and post pics..(would like to see a 70 or 71 deluxe from them)..I really like my Formula wheel(birthday present to myself) and most likely will leave it alone..its what would have been on a 1977 T/A..and the RANDY COMBS bezel...really first rate work..and $150 is a deal!!..just going to give him another photo hype!!...by the way..he redoes the upper mounting bracket..refinishes the surrounding frame and the vent controls and small plate..and the price includes return ship..I wonder if anyone has sent there bezel in from these pics?...and I finally (was it the weather change, or new can of paint) getting my valve covers painted a decent job..most likely better than the factory...so will be a few days till I can get these jobs finished..hope everyone had a good weekend..getting back on track

[transam1972]

I just ordered the WELLY LUCERNE BLUE TRANS AM diecast...never thought I would be doing that..spent many hours surfing the net looking at blue T/As..read something like for 1972 out of about 1200 T/As..300 are blue...am I recalling we have the #s breakdown by years for LUCERNE? I suppose my colour blindness ruled over the rarity,,,and 72 had some other rare colours...red,silver,black, and of course Adriatic blue,,and since I have the repop of the original style valance (still surprised that more do not choose that style)..really has me digging this new way of colour thinking and how the front nose will look...will be a white bird/black feathers ...and no dot fade .... code ARTIC 10 for the shaker!

[transam1972]

so I am finishing off the trunk just so I can say its done..its a combination of original and my spraying some undercoat splatter to hide my handiwork smoothing out the left side trunk pan damage...I sprayed sound deadner on the insides of the rear 1/4s..GM does it a bit different but they also use a different texture..my trunk inside will never be concourse so I dressed it up with a new jute back trunk mat...I also hooked up the rear tail lights harness and I have added a power trunk front compartment courtesy lights,glovebox light hood light and trunk light...note the clip on the harness that seures it to the body

[transam1972]

its been like 24 years ago since I pulled this harness out...its strange as it has a break in the plastic covering and a small section of exposed wire (check the photos on how its installed)..almost as though the harness was a bit long and they fold it there..any other 1972 trunk harness look like this?...I just assume keep it for now...I may eventually get a new one...the insides of the sockets do corrode and this harness is over 40 years..a trunk harness is more subject to wear from its location...but all the lights work!!...note how the harness mounts to the inner body and the plug in for the tail light harness and the trunk light is also plugged in

[transam1972]

since the muffler is out I thought it best to replace the vent pipe hoses...check out the clips..color coded..I cannot imagine doing a concourse resto and nailing all these details!!.on the left are the screws I am using for the air damns...also does anyone know how these plugs install?..with a glob of seam sealer?...these are like 20 years old...I have seen new ones on E BAY with a gasket..anyway thanks if you can tell me how to install..!

[transam1972]

is original..I had a N.O.S. in 1990..but opted not to remove it as I did not have (or able to get) the inner tail panel...that needs to be repopped for 70 -73...really the 2 pieces go together and guys need this for a proper resto...the plastic panel is N.O.S....early 1970 panels were steel....the plan is to get the car back tigther for one last test fit and for it to be running and drivable as I am saving for my LUCERNE blue paint job...I do not know where the shop is located (I am in N.J.)..but if there was any way (atleast 2 years) I could have my car painted by the shop that's doing ADRIAN..thats the kind of place this car needs to go to ..a place familiar with TRANS AMs where iit could get the kind of paint job it deserves...dreaming is allowed..but I am going to work hard on my end to pull it off!!!

[transam1972]

considering I did the adjustments, what do you think?...and these are replacement 1/4s..