Or you could swap the gears and rebuild the one you have and know what you have when you're finished.

 

Need special tools to rebuild D44's. And an install kit, which isnt bad financially.

 

You need 'special tools' to set up any gear set. Don't fall into the fallacy that no one is qualified to work on your Chevrolet. I'll guarantee there is someone there that can do it for you.

 

Well, a friend just went through this and no one wanted to do it due to case splitter and a couple little things. This is a third world country sometimes out here.
And dont even suggest a dealership out here.
There just isnt a market for C4/Dana 44 etc stuff out here.
Well, I have the 3.07 gear in Hand. Now I need to look for a case.

 

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Gear_Setup/

 

Thanks again James.

 

I HAVE ALL THE SPECIAL KENT MOORE SERVICE TOOLS TO SERVICE- REBUILD A C4 DANA 44 & C4 DANA 36.

HOUSING SPREADER.

SPECIAL 2 PIN ADAPTERS TO ALCOA ALUMINUM CASE TO HOUSING SPREADER.

CLUTCH PACK SERVICE TOOLS.

PINION DEPTH GAUGES.

DIAL INDICATORS THAT READ DOWN 50 MILLIONTHS OF AN INCH.

SNAP ON TORQUE WRENCHES.
1/4"
3/8"
1/2" DRIVES.

MOST IMPORTANTLY I HAVE NEARLY 25 YEARS SETTING UP REAR DIFFERENTIALS & READING, INTERPRETING DRIVE SIDE CONVEX & COAST SIDE CONCAVE GEAR TOOTH NOMECLATURE PATTERNS.

EVEN A SLIGHT DEVIATION FROM PERFECTION DOES NOT LEAVE MY 2 HANDS UNCORRECTED.

I CAN DETECT .001" TOO MUCH PINION DEPTH, TOO SHALLOW PINION DEPTH, TOO MUCH BACKLASH, TOO LITTLE RING GEAR BACKLASH BY STUDYING GEAR TOOTH CONTACT PATTERNS IN 15 SECONDS BY PERFORMING A GEAR TOOTH PATTERN TEST.

The only other person I have ever met with same rear diff gear setup experience as myself was my late friend.
He taught me.
He is gone.
Passed on.

Brian R.

 

Brian, sounds like you have everything needed. I have a load of time to get this done. If I have to , I will find the tools needed. I have many tools already and a machine shop quite capable. But, after looking for parts and pieces, housing/center section, I see some people think these are gold. Well, they are not, and its almost cheaper to find a wrecked car.
I may end up just trading my D44 with 3.75 built by IKERDS to get a D44 in Very Good condition. Or, if I can find a D44 pumpkin for less than an arm and a leg, I may just swap the gears with the 3.07's I acquired today.

 

The correct Kent Moore service tools are out there.

It took me 1 year to track them all down.

I found them all New Old Stock, never used in original packaging.

I even have the Kent Moore C4 Dana 36 & Dana 44 rear diff housing holding fixture & attaching arms.

Dana's are some of the most difficult rear differentials to set up.

All Dana model housings have super stiff cases.
Why a case spreader is almost a must for ease of disassembly & assembly.

Carrier adjustment shims are located between the tapered roller bearing cone & cast iron diff center section case.

You calculate shims incorrect.......
Remove bearings on both sides & start over.
Usually the bearings & shims get destroyed upon removal again.

Pinion depth must be set at + or - .000".
In real world , within .0001" or 1/10,000 of inch.

You can better understand why there are so few people around to set up any C4 rear diff correct the 1st time for max durability & no gear whine or howl on the street & highway speeds & while WOT racing.

Few have the ability to measure that close of a tolerance & maintain it during assembly.

Most compromise or do not care.

The end result of ignorance is wasted $$$, short service life, gear whine & howling at highway speeds that drive you insane after 5 minutes, and a very pissed off car owner & Corvette enthusiast.

They are totally insane with C4 dana 44 prices these days.

Shop around.

Watch Craig's list in your area.

Watch C4 parts for sale, where I found & bought my 1985 C4 dana 44 with batwing cover for $900 shipped to me 2 years ago.
No accident crash damage & near mint condition.

Brian

 

I am with you Brian. My friend that did his out here said it was a pain.

 

Yes,

Its a pain on a C4.

Ford 9" is super easy.

I can set them up on my workbench to perfection in under 2 hours.

I can drink my cup of coffee & enjoy myself.

I am sure your Buddie would not set a C4 rear diff for free likewise.
Its hard work & have to work diligently towards perfection start to finish.

If a person does not have that hardcore attitude to begin with.......
Don't even attempt to set up a C4 Dana & claim it to last under street or high performance race use.

Happy 4th. of July to All on C4

BR

 

subscribed

 

How rediculous is the cost of shipping for this thing? I feel bad that because of your location, you have a hard time getting what you need.

The reason I say to keep the 3:73's is also....What if you go through all the trouble to swap rearends and then don't like the 3:07's.

Then you'd have to figure it out all over. If you got a clean, low mileage 3:07, you have the option to switch it back if you were not happy with the change.....just a thought.


Good luck

 

I have the 3.07s. I am looking into getting a donor D44 and having it shipped to a reputable builder on the west coast, if he will install my gears to a donor D44. I have a month in Guam to research etc.
I found a couple on fleebay. I swear, people need to get realistic on the "value" of a differential.

 

I will keep an eye out for a good used C4 dana44 case or complete 3rd. member assembled.
If I run across a good deal,
I will P.M. you.
You finalize the purchase yourself.

1985- 1988 C4 dana 44's have the 1st design case.
Most plentiful on Corvette market I have found.
Still strong enough for more than 90% of street performance C4 guys & gals.
I have found them as low as $400.00 complete without batwing.

Currently I only have my 1985 C4 Dana 44 & Dana 36's too.

They are crazy on ebay yes.

Do a saved search(s) : 1984-1996 Dana 44, C4 Dana 44, Corvette Dana 44.
Something just may show up in the next month in your price range.

$2K is too much yes. lol

Brian

 

Thanks Brian. Proper search words make a difference on fleebay.

 

Yes,
They only allow 100 saved searches on ebay per account.
I love C4 Corvettes & Vintage Pontiac Muscle.
So I have all 100 spots filled 24/7/365 days a year.
Sometimes I have to wait 6 months or longer for that item or part I want or need.
Luckily C4's are easy to find parts for yet.

That C4 Dana 44 is worth more than most beater C4's running around.
Keep watching.
You will land a good deal.
Try & get the matching batwing the Dana 44 left the factory with.
Better that way.

BR

 

All I can say is I can't wait to tear into my rear end and send it off to Brian for a rebuild sometime this winter!

 

I will use the batwing I have already

 

Didn't know you had the 3:07's already.....

Yes, sorry I didn't know about Brian sooner too. Ikerds is good, but I would have appreciated a second (possibly better) choice, and you really seem to know your differentials!

Thanks for the info Brian, that is how us hobbyists learn.

Maybe a services link for anyone who does work related to vettes on the site would be agood idea, or i just havent seen it yet?