Technical Pontiac/Olds Rearend TECH...post it here...

Thanks again Dave! The rear came from a picked apart 63 GP. I believe it was a 389 automatic car. I picked up the rear for pennies. I like to have extra parts and a posi is always a big bonus!


Dustin

 

Good thread. I will need this when I decide to finish my Plymouth and get started on my Poncho.

 

I do lurk a lot, but rarely post here. I apologize, as I am somewhat affiliated with the company responsible. Hopefully this is seen as more of a PSA than an advertisement. I will humbly take my lashing from the mods if necessary. That being said....,

The brand new, purpose-built (not a modified version of an existing unit) limited-slip unit for the Pontiac/Olds 9.3" is now available!

I can provide more details if anyone desires. Stepping out now.

 

Finally! Can I return my rebuilt one that I spent an arm and a leg on from you guys and get a new one?
It's amazing by the way!!! A whole new car with limited slip!!
Specially with the 455 HO I just put into it!!


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Sure! They'll just need that other arm and leg!

That's a beautiful car! Glad you're happy with the diff. Traction is a must with that big Poncho torque!

 

Posi units. We have been making the Eaton Posi units for a few years now also. AS with all the posi units for sale.... NONE ARE CHEAP. We only carry 31 spline and sell both 3 and 4 series carrier. We have done True trac posi units, and power trac posi units and even DETROIT LOCKER units.
Jim
J D Race
Good luck on the info thread... YOU NEVER know it all we kept finding out NEW stuff on all rear ends all the time.

 

picked this one up locally the other day
haven't opened it up yet but the story was it came out of a '63 Pontiac Station Wagon
(low mile wreck)
seems good from the outside..
'62 date code, 3.08 limited slip..

if it's a good one it'll go in my '58 housing and I'll likely order a pair of 31 spline Dutchman axles
to go in an A Coupe

 

I have a carrier housing with 535200 on it and I need the bearing numbers for the carrier and the pinion, I loaned my book and now I need it to get the parts for my spool

 

535200 is second generation (59-62). Check NAPAONline.com as they have bearings for the Olds rears, but know your year and model first.

 

Paul

Story might be wrong.... If this was from a Pontiac why does it have a OLDS tag ANTI SPIN is Oldsmobile term for LSD
Pontiac tag will say Safety track.

Just pointing out clues for the rest to ponder... A LSD find ifs a good find NO MATTER what the story is.

 

hmm, interesting, so you think it's a '62 Olds rear not a '63 Pontiac?..

as long as it's in decent shape I'm happy, I haven't opened it up yet..

 

Date code sez it's '63 model year and casting number is '63-'64. Maybe someone cudn't tell the difference between a '63 Pontiac SW and a '63 Olds SW. Pull the drums off and look at the drive dogs in the center of the axle flange. If it has two drive dogs shaped like mushroom heads, it's an Olds. If it has four drive dogs shaped like a saw blade, it's a Pontiac. Both are 31 spline. Don't know for sure about the width, but if it is a Pontiac, it might be a little wider.

 

I thought the L 13 2 was the date code making it a December 13th 1962 vintage?
No?

 

Pictures of the other side of the housing ( backside and upper control arm brackets) or, pictures of the backing plates would help ID it.


Dustin

 

It gets a little crazy when you're trying to figure these dates. This was cast in Dec '62 and the new car models, i.e., '63, hit the showrooms in Sep '62 making it from a '63 vehicle.

 

Will a 62 Cadillac Posi Pumpkin fit into a 62 Pontiac housing?
Can get the Caddy pumpkin and axles for $200.00 but don't want any of it if it's just halloween decorations...

 

I do not believe that they will.
To the best of my knowledge, Pontiac/ Olds only
KK

 

I have 2 9.3 laying around the house open end 3.23 gears I think need more funds for my project

 

I think the Caddy rear ends are smaller believe it or not. I'd also think that some out there would be lookin for an old Cadillac posi. You can just open up a catalog and order a new carrier and, maybe even gears for that matter.

 

Does anyone have a scan or know all the exact dimensions/specs for 1958 Oldsmobile rear brake drums?

Dustin

 

I pulled the axels out of my friends 57 Pontiac 2dr wagon and do not see any axel seals but an O-Ring on the bearing. Shouldn't there also be a press in seal?
Thanks
Pat

 

The seal is between the bearing and the axle flange.
KK

 

Another KoolKat! So to replace the seals you have to replace the bearings? Probably should be done anyways but if it didn't leak before and wasn't disturbed because of it's location do you think that it will be ok? I have always replaced axel seals if I pulled the axles but this one is a different animal. I see that Fabcraft sells a kit. Has anyone used them?
Thanks
Pat

 

Fabcraft is the authority when it comes to 57-64 Pontiac/Olds rearends!
You can trust them for parts and information, great people!
KK

 

I replaced the bearing and seals in mine, they were easy to work with and received parts in a timely fashion. I'd really advise you to buy their book on the history and servicing of these rear ends, it answered questions I had about mine. It's a great deal of info for us that didn't know much about em!

 

I think getting the kit from Fabcraft is the way to go.
Thanks for all the replies.
Pat

 

I find it interesting to see where some GM parts were first designed..

I am working for an estate to get cars fixed for resale, and this 34 LaS coupe had wrong wheels, and the correct wheels were 5.5" bolt circle. The car was converted in the 1960s to 5" bolt pattern.

Found a 34-36 LaS rear end in the barns, to see if they maybe just changed drums. Nope, the car looks like it has a mid 50s Olds rear in it now.

Looking at the 34-36 LaS rear end on the chain, it really is very close to an early Olds rear. Even the driveshaft yoke looks the same. The big difference is the LaS has removable hubs with a center nut, and pinion shaft support bolts.

 

I took the "Olds" rear end out of the 34 LaS, and going by the casting number and date codes on this thread, it is July 22 1954. I think it must be Olds, not Pontiac, as all the brackets match the 55 and a 56 Olds rears I have here. (note, it has a homemade driveshaft adapter on the yoke)

Question: I've double checked the ratio to be 3.08. I thought the stock Hydramatic was 3.23 and standard shift was 3.42? Is the 3.08 an uncommon ratio for mid 50s Olds? It seems a very low number for the mid 50s?

 

It is not common. I think it was only available in the later years (54-55-56) I searched for about 2 and a half years until I finally found that ratio via another HAMBer. I bought the whole drop out from him and put it in the car. I love it for driving on the highway around here. The car will run 70 mph all day and the big torque of the Olds loves the tall ratio. I have the original 3.42 drop out if anyone needs one. Good shape. Just not needed. PM me if interested.

 

anybody knows something about a 1936 olds rear axle?? my ratio is too short, is there another differential I can put in to it?
Stock should be 4.55 (and I think it's stock) but that's way to short, need to have something around 3- 3.5