[Warrant]

Heres my situation, I have a 72 nova with 10 bolt 8.5" 3.08 geared open rear. I have a posi that is out of a 1975 chevelle with also a 8.5" (2.73 geared) I remover only the posi out of the chevelle and now I want to put it in the nova with 3.73s on a budget.

So the plan was to just reuse the bearings and everything else and just install the posi and 3.73s with a budget shim/crush sleeve/etc. kit.

The problem is I dont know what to do now. I thought I could get the pinion bearing off the 3.08 pinion to use on the 3.73 pinion, but it looks hard to get it off without damageing it. So i will get new pinion bearing. But now what do about the two side carrier bearings. Everything looks good so it is reusable. I was going to reuse those too. Are those pressed on also? so if i use those ones on the posi, what races do I use? becouse the original ones for the posi were mixed up. Could I get new races(or cups w/e their called) and use the old bearings with them? Or should I make my best guess on which side went to whcih(50% chance lol), what the worst that can happen with the wrong race on wrong bearing? or use the one cups in he nova now with the bearings on the posi?

Looking for ideas/opinions on what to do. Any help greatly appreciated

[red_rider52]

To get the bearing off use a small chisel between the bearing and carrier or pinion and then when the gap gets to big use a bigger chisel and when it gets bigger use one as a shim and so on until they pop off works really good just take your time. I hope this makes sense. then to get them back on the other one use a punch and hammer but only hit on the inside of the bearing going from side to side until it bottoms out. again hope this makes sense.

If you do happen to nick or dent one of the mating surfaces make sure to file it smooth before you install the bearing on.

[red_rider52]

One more thing to help when your setting up your wear pattern, to make it easy to change the spacer on your pinion. Take one of your old bearings and grind out the inside just enough so you can slip it on the pinion by hand. and once you get the right set up take it off and use your good one. It will save you lots of time and effort.

You also don't need to use your new crush sleeve till your final installation once the wear pattern is good.

These are all things I learn't after I was done changing the gears and posi with would have made things a lot easier.

[Lil Big Mec]

Just take the bearing cups to a good parts store adn they can get you new ones using the numbers stamped on the thick edge. Just use the new ones with the old bearings and you will be fine.

[Warrant]

Originally Posted by Lil Big Mec

Just take the bearing cups to a good parts store adn they can get you new ones using the numbers stamped on the thick edge. Just use the new ones with the old bearings and you will be fine.

Thats what I wsas hoping to hear. fewf im not so worried now

I heard the bearings also crush alittel when pressed on so they cant really be reused??

[Warrant]

Ive talked to some people that said if it were them it would be better to use the cups that already have the right amount of wear on them as opposed to getting two new ones.

I would its just the only problem is their mixed up.

any other advice?

[61 chevy]

They only cost about $4 apiece for new "outer races"...just get new ones. This is one reason they sell them seperatly

[buzzbomb]

as long as the numbers are the same (they will be) and there is no galling on the races you can use them and it will not matter which one was on what bearing. You will be re-shimming it anyway. I have done this for many years and it has never done any damage or excess wear. Of course it is better to keep them mated but they can be switched with no adverse effects.