[66_Catalina]

I stumbled across a mostly complete 63 Catalina wagon in a junkyard. It looks like
a 389 auto car. What are the chances of it having better than a 2.56 ratio? And
how hard is it to use that rear in a '66 Catalina? I'm stuck for my car and the wagon
rear is $200

[tharkun8]

Looking at my '63 Service Manual..

a Series 23 car (SWs not separated) it could only have
a 2.56 if it did NOT have AC... If it has AC then it would
have at least a 2.69 gear.

But.. either way.. Im betting its under 3... either 2.69
or 2.87. Its still better then the 2.41 open that my 66
Ventura came with.

Cant talk about reuse.. never thought about trying it so
never directly compared them . IIIRC though I think its problematic
to do.. though I cannot recall why.

John

[66_Catalina]

I figured as much. I think gears are available for the 63 rear I know they aren't
for the '66. I'll have to check when I have the money so he doesn't go up
if it's a good gear.

[63gpman]

the more people that call to Brad at Fabcraft and request gears for the 65 + rear, the better chance that he will make another run of the 3.55 sets.

[tharkun8]

Originally Posted by 63gpman

the more people that call to Brad at Fabcraft and request gears for the 65 + rear, the better chance that he will make another run of the 3.55 sets.

Agreed. Ive already called twice .. I want a 3.55 gear so my 200r4 has
a better place to go then with the 2.93s i can put it in now.. I think it
would be a world of diff..but... will have to deal..

John

[Deadhead]

It is easy to tell what the rear is by looking at the case if you can get to it. "what they came with" is pure guesswork. You never know what you will find. Not going to interchange w post '64.

[66_Catalina]

I've talked to him as well. He said another run of 3.55 probably won't happen.
He's the one that suggested I try to use the older rear.

[Newbaby]

I have a 3.42 posi for your car 65-70 fullsize $500

[misterp266]

Have you considered a Curries 9"?
There is a board member here who did that in a '66 Catalina.
Where's the '63 Safari, do you have any pics of it?

[66_Catalina]

I appreciate the offer for the 3.42 but my budget is screaming with a baby due
in 8 days. The safari is in a local junkyard. It's probably been there 30+
years but seems solid. Someone took the timing cover off but everything else
seems to be there. The 9 in inch is the same as the 3.42. I have a cut off wheel,
grinder, and welder so figured I could move mounts and brackets around.

[Deadhead]

You could use 65 up to a 70 big Pontiac rear, and be able to make use of those tools and skills to make one fit. Earlier would be too much BS. Wagons would be a slightly better bet for ratios. A 3.08 is great and not too hard or expensive to find. Much more affordable than the 9" or Fabcraft option.

[66_Catalina]

I ran 3.08s in my '71 Catalina and liked them. I did crutch
them for a while with a Saginaw 4 speed with the 3.50 ish
first gear. It soon exploded though with attempts at
power shifting and 4500 rpm clutch dumps (I was 18 and dumb)

[Deadhead]

Doubtful IN Pontiacs has a 3.08 or lower. I scoured that pretty good and we only found one, which I am now running, but Pontiac Heaven may be worth a try.

You know that you can take the carrier out of the previously referenced years and swap it into the '65-6 housing with no mods and it will work fine right? I used one out of a '68 GP. Just ended up using the R&P, but I could have swapped the whole carrier. It was just "cheaper" & quicker buying an open and doing it like this since I was going there anyway. If the $500 was for a bolt-in rear, including housing, it may be the cheapest way to go.

It is not a bullet proof rear like the '64 & earlier. That is for sure.

[Newbaby]

Drum to Drum

[66_Catalina]

I'll keep that in mind and if I can make any extra money
at part time job #2 and #3 this summer I'll probably try to
get it. I figure I'll have to add another $200 plus for fuel to come
get it.

[Newbaby]

I'll meet you halfway.