Will a '68 Diff fit my '73

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Nov 13, 2003 | 09:57 AM

Mystery Machine

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Drifting

Joined: Jul 2002

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From: Cocoa Beach FL

Will a '68 Diff fit my '73

Thinking of buying 4.11 setup out of his '68 from a forum member for my '73. Will they fit OK?

Nov 13, 2003 | 10:48 AM

Van Steel

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Joined: May 2000

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From: Clearwater FL

Re: Will a '68 Diff fit my '73 (Mystery Machine)

yes the diff will fit. housings are all the same up to 80

Nov 13, 2003 | 11:28 AM

Mystery Machine

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Drifting

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From: Cocoa Beach FL

Re: Will a '68 Diff fit my '73 (Van Steel)

Thanks. Is a 4.11 with a TH400 tranny going to be a really uncomfortable ride around town (I don't go on long trips in the vette, it's a weekend car)?

Nov 13, 2003 | 11:51 AM

Maurice

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From: Hawaii

Re: Will a '68 Diff fit my '73 (Mystery Machine)

4.11 for riding around town isn't TOO bad. Stop light to stop light it is great!

Nov 13, 2003 | 11:57 AM

Mystery Machine

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Drifting

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From: Cocoa Beach FL

Re: Will a '68 Diff fit my '73 (Maurice)

Thanks, I think I might go for it. If I hate it I can always go back to the 3.08. Now I just have to talk to wife into it! :lol:

Nov 13, 2003 | 12:21 PM

Maurice

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From: Hawaii

Re: Will a '68 Diff fit my '73 (Mystery Machine)

Just FYI from my own experience. First time I changed the rear end it took 14 hours in one day. I didn't know what I was doing and had to make MANY trips to the parts store. The side yokes were different and the Ujoints were different sizes. The rearend I got was from a 67 I believe so that might have been some of the problem. Also, I was putting it in a 73 small block and it came from a 67 BB so the parts that kept the side shafts connected to the differential were different, think they are called Ubolts instead of Caps. Anyway, measure everything and make sure it is similar before you start and it could make things much easier.
The second time (switching back to a 3.08 from 4.56) it only took 4.5 hours from start to finish.

Nov 13, 2003 | 12:56 PM

markdtn

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2003

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From: Chattanooga TN

Re: Will a '68 Diff fit my '73 (Maurice)

You can swap the yokes from one to another to overcome the differences in caps and u-bolts on the side yokes. The front pinion yoke is 1 of 2 styles depending on year and 4-sp/auto. Even so, you can get a conversion u-joint if that is a problem.

Nov 13, 2003 | 03:09 PM

Seabee

2nd Gear

Joined: Nov 2003

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From: Camrillo Ca

Re: Will a '68 Diff fit my '73 (Mystery Machine)

The housing is the same, 1980 to 82 they changed the housing.

I'm in the process of rebuilding my 1980 rear end after major failure, and I gotta say what a pain the the butt, took a month of parts chasing before I got all the parts.

BTW How many knew the 1980 CA model got stuck with a 305 CID engine...get a lot of strange looks when I bring that one up!

[Modified by Seabee, 8:10 PM 11/13/2003]