Rear-End Ideas?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,172
Likes: 86
From: State of Confusion
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...lly-needs.html
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,130
Likes: 3,938
From: Connecticut, USA
I bought a Tom's setup within the last 6 months. Still available on their website. They have been doing this since the 70's.
http://www.tomsdifferentials.com/catalog.asp?pg=22
http://www.tomsdifferentials.com/catalog.asp?pg=22
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 364
Likes: 1
From: Dane Wisconsin
here is the best way to make sure it will not ever break........ easy install and great guys to work with.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...olid-axle.html
http://autofabcart.net/1968-1982corv...4-linkkit.aspx
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...olid-axle.html
http://autofabcart.net/1968-1982corv...4-linkkit.aspx
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 207
Likes: 6
Toms main guy that use to assemble these rear ends (Kenny passed away few months ago, and Tom doesnt have anyone to assemble them any more, so he's most likely just retiring. He is still supplying parts, but no assembly.
One of the differential shops that worked with him in building these same rear ends and supplying parts from Tom is in business doing a pretty good job at it, good people Tom referred me to them, they did a gear swap for me.
Perfect Pattern Differentials
1517 E. Rosewood Ave
Spokane WA 99217
Steve Witting
509-487-4797
One of the differential shops that worked with him in building these same rear ends and supplying parts from Tom is in business doing a pretty good job at it, good people Tom referred me to them, they did a gear swap for me.
Perfect Pattern Differentials
1517 E. Rosewood Ave
Spokane WA 99217
Steve Witting
509-487-4797
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Does anyone know if Pepe Estrada (father of the 12-bolt IRS) is still around? He had been working with Henry's Machine Works (who did mine) prior to Tom's "hiring" him way back when they first got serious about building these.
In any event, Gary, it looks like you've timed getting into doing the 12-bolts very well.
In any event, Gary, it looks like you've timed getting into doing the 12-bolts very well.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,130
Likes: 3,938
From: Connecticut, USA
Ah Pepe, I was sure it was Tom who worked for him then bought him out. I have an article about him building these going back to '75. Tom has refined the process since then in some areas. I asked Tom what ever happened to him once but no one knew?
I spoke to Steve today @ PPD. Nice guy, knows and uses some of Tom's parts in vette diffs, builds diffs for all makes, not vette specific, does a lot of muscle cars. Said he doesn't get involved in the T/A's or other vette units.
When was the last time Henry's built one, any idea? I have made some minor changes with the way I'm building them as well.
I spoke to Steve today @ PPD. Nice guy, knows and uses some of Tom's parts in vette diffs, builds diffs for all makes, not vette specific, does a lot of muscle cars. Said he doesn't get involved in the T/A's or other vette units.
When was the last time Henry's built one, any idea? I have made some minor changes with the way I'm building them as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Ah Pepe, I was sure it was Tom who worked for him then bought him out. I have an article about him building these going back to '75. Tom has refined the process since then in some areas. I asked Tom what ever happened to him once but no one knew?
...When was the last time Henry's built one, any idea? I have made some minor changes with the way I'm building them as well.
...When was the last time Henry's built one, any idea? I have made some minor changes with the way I'm building them as well.
Haven't kept up with Henry's since they did mine back in the day, but they remain in business. However, for whatever reason I can't navigate their site and haven't persisted to reach them via phone, so I don't know what all they still do. Their ability to perform the necessary processes in-house to produce HD 12-bolt ring & pinion sets taller (smaller ratios) than 3.73:1 was a primary reason I went with them for my 3.55:1.
BTW, I had been under the impressions that the 10-bolt 71-79 iron housing could be mated to the 80-82 batwing with some work, but that there wasn't enough meat in the batwing's diff cover area for the larger 12-bolt chunk and ring. Am I mistaken and, if so, could you clear that up for me and anyone else reading along?
Here's hoping this all doesn't constitute a hijack.
edit - The C3/D44 batwing can be adapted to accept a 12-bolt IRS diff with a spacer/mid-plate to make up for lack of material.
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Oct 1, 2011 at 09:57 PM.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 480
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
here is the best way to make sure it will not ever break........ easy install and great guys to work with.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...olid-axle.html
http://autofabcart.net/1968-1982corv...4-linkkit.aspx
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...olid-axle.html
http://autofabcart.net/1968-1982corv...4-linkkit.aspx
Last edited by Hybrid117; Nov 13, 2008 at 12:33 AM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 364
Likes: 1
From: Dane Wisconsin
i spent $4300 that was everything from autofab...... strange fab nine upgraded center to the S housing upgraded locker 35 spline axles QA1 coil overs wilwood brakes with parking brake and the 4 link stuff....... they said it will handle 1200hp...... time well if it all comes apart easy i bet you could have it all done in a long weekend or two at the most.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,130
Likes: 3,938
From: Connecticut, USA
What details I'm aware of being sketchy, at best, that's why I put quotations around "hiring"...
Haven't kept up with Henry's since they did mine back in the day, but they remain in business. However, for whatever reason I can't navigate their site and haven't persisted to reach them via phone, so I don't know what all they still do. Their ability to perform the necessary processes in-house to produce HD 12-bolt ring & pinion sets taller (smaller ratios) than 3.73:1 was a primary reason I went with them for my 3.55:1.
BTW, I had been under the impressions that the 10-bolt 71-79 iron housing could be mated to the 80-82 batwing with some work, but that there wasn't enough meat in the batwing's diff cover area for the larger 12-bolt chunk and ring. Am I mistaken and, if so, could you clear that up for me and anyone else reading along?
Here's hoping this all doesn't constitute a hijack.
Haven't kept up with Henry's since they did mine back in the day, but they remain in business. However, for whatever reason I can't navigate their site and haven't persisted to reach them via phone, so I don't know what all they still do. Their ability to perform the necessary processes in-house to produce HD 12-bolt ring & pinion sets taller (smaller ratios) than 3.73:1 was a primary reason I went with them for my 3.55:1.
BTW, I had been under the impressions that the 10-bolt 71-79 iron housing could be mated to the 80-82 batwing with some work, but that there wasn't enough meat in the batwing's diff cover area for the larger 12-bolt chunk and ring. Am I mistaken and, if so, could you clear that up for me and anyone else reading along?
Here's hoping this all doesn't constitute a hijack.
I'll PM you some info I found out on these too for your info.
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Santa Cruz CA
Crazy! I spoke to Kenny like 4 or 5 times in the last year. The last time being 3 or four months ago. Lots of knowledge lost there. 
When I spoke to Kenny about higher gear ratios, their reasoning for not doing them was that with the increased size in the pinion gear head it moves the crown of the ring gear over towards the drivers side. In clearancing the case for 3.55 and numerically lower ring gears, it makes the case substantially weaker. Even with the 3.73 and numerically higher gear ratios, he said that you want to remove as little material as possible to retain structural strength. He said that people asked all the time for higher ratios. I ended up getting a 3.73 12 bolt.
When I spoke to Kenny about higher gear ratios, their reasoning for not doing them was that with the increased size in the pinion gear head it moves the crown of the ring gear over towards the drivers side. In clearancing the case for 3.55 and numerically lower ring gears, it makes the case substantially weaker. Even with the 3.73 and numerically higher gear ratios, he said that you want to remove as little material as possible to retain structural strength. He said that people asked all the time for higher ratios. I ended up getting a 3.73 12 bolt.
Last edited by 427midyear; Nov 14, 2008 at 10:32 PM.