well it finally happened my posi showed signs for the firts time tonight of breaking. i have a posi and i start off nice spinning 2 tires then it drops off and i spin one tire with a loud screech. so someone told me when i brought my car in for a rear fluid leak that my bearing was shot. so in the spring when she comes back on the road we rebuilding with a a richmond rebuild kit 373 and all bearings and seals is this a good idea it will fix my problems and can it be done with a friend whos experienced or is it a big job that needs special tools. and will i gain anything from 373 will i lose torque or gain please fill me in

 

3.73's are good, I have them in the '95, but with the way the LB9 makes power, 3.42's may be a better choice, plus, you can get a slightly used set for far less than 3.73's. 3.73's will help drasitcally, though...

 

I agree. 3.73 is really too much gear for the stock-style TPI setup. 3.42 will keep you in the powerband longer, get you slightly better gas mileage, and still give you a big SOTP gain.

I don't remember if the '87 cars had 26 or 28 spline axles, but if you're going to have the rear apart anyway now might be a good time to upgrade if you can.

 

I agree that 3.73s are a little much. However, I would not be shy about going that route if I was planning further mods down the road that can use it.

 

my concern is a posi when regearing its just the ring and pinion or is there much more i have to change. the whole reason im going bak there is a shot bearing

 

1987 was 26 spline axles. I agree with J, if you're planning on leaving it stock, I'd go 3.42's. I also agree with dj, if you're going to mod it (the intake system especially) I'd do 3.73's. I'm going with 3.73's because I plan on a heavily ported TPI setup and maybe even a "ram" later down the road.

Good luck and take lots of pics of the gear install. I'm going to attempt my own (I'm 16 with no rear-end experience) so it should be an adventure...

-Corey

 

I'm going 3.73's, I already had 3'23's and they were way tall for the 1/4...
The 3.42's maight be a good "all around" gear but I want strong straight line acceleration!
In drag racing the Pro's tell me, you always build your power(or max power) then gear accordingly...
My rpm's at the traps were low(under 5000)...more gear will get them up.

 

On the rear repair, I'd change ALL of the 4 bearings, the 2-carrier bearings and the front and rear pinion bearings. Actually the 2 axle tube or wheels bearings too. Once you "pop" out the front seal the front will come out, the rear should come out ON the pinion. Take your pinion and your carrier to a shop and have the bearings removed and replaced.
Install them reverse of removal and get some "marking compound" and get the "tooth rub pattern"(gear contact point) centered in the teeth. You may need more shims than came on the pinion and carrier. You should also OPT for a "solid" piniom spacer sold cheap. You'll need an inch pound torue wrench to get the correct tension on the pinion bearings. You have to get them just tight enough that it requires a "specified amount of torque on the pinion nut, to turn the wheels...

 

Lordmetalz28 - What were the signs you got of your Rear going out? I think im havin the same prolem.

 

so buying a richmond rebuild kit with 3.73 from jegs would work on my posi is the question. kurupt. i did 3 burn outs in my life with this car since i bought it and early in the summer i used to leave 2 nice fat tire marks. now when i take off from a light both wheels start spinning then it drops off to one wheel and only leaves 1 tire mark and its a posi and also its leaking fluid and when i had that checked he turned the shaft a bit cause there was some play in it and he said my bearing was shot. so i figured while im in there myswell do the gears to. i plan on one day dropping a 350 in there or beefing up my 305 big time so 373 will be effective in the next 3 years or so am i going to lose torque buy going to 373 on my 305 now

 

3.73's won't cost you any torque. In fact, they'll move you off the line that much faster....you'll just run out of steam sooner. Keep your races stoplight-to-stoplight and you'll love them.

 

good just one question nobody has answered the rebuild package from richmond in jegs magazine is what i need to regear my posi correct or is there more involved then bearings seals and gear and spline somebody look in jegs so i dont buy the wrong parts

 

To answer your question: Yes that kit will work. BUT:

Check out www.thunderracing.com They have a gear package for $400. It includes:

-Gears
-Install Kit
-T/A Cover
-T/A Studs
-Redline Oil Lube

Basically everything the Richmond kit has plus the $150 cover for like $60-80 more. I've heard some nasty stuff about Richmond gears. Thunder's kit comes with Motives or Strange (Strange is extra $).

Good luck!

-Corey

 

so rippin that thunder racing kit will rebuild my posi rear now.