differential
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 181
Likes: 34
From: Frankfort Kentucky
differential
I just purchased a C4 rear end for a street rod- By the batwing it appears to be 84-87-Are there any markings on the differential that will tell exactly what year it is? The red tag is still on the side- Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,331
Likes: 2,722
The "as built" information should be etched on the bottom of the unit BUT I would think that since it's for a "build" I'd likely separate the cover from the housing to inspect the condition of the rear. When you do that you can confirm the ratio, and if it's the original build the information will be on the ring gear.
You purchased this "blind"? Didn't know ratio, D36 or D44 before the buy? Seems odd!
You purchased this "blind"? Didn't know ratio, D36 or D44 before the buy? Seems odd!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 181
Likes: 34
From: Frankfort Kentucky
The "as built" information should be etched on the bottom of the unit BUT I would think that since it's for a "build" I'd likely separate the cover from the housing to inspect the condition of the rear. When you do that you can confirm the ratio, and if it's the original build the information will be on the ring gear.
You purchased this "blind"? Didn't know ratio, D36 or D44 before the buy? Seems odd!
You purchased this "blind"? Didn't know ratio, D36 or D44 before the buy? Seems odd!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,331
Likes: 2,722
The fellow that had it ( on ebay ) didn't know-I presumed it to be a Dana 36--I'll be changing the gears and rebuilding it , so it really didn't matter-it is complete-I'll be running an automatic -so it should be OK-Was wanting to be able to determine the year-for parts-It's going in a 33 Chevrolet convertible
I'm guessing your buy was for a "complete" with hubs, suspension etc? You're bolting the front of the housing (at the pinion) to a fixed bracket in your chassis? Are you using the complete "bat-wing" or modifying that also for attachment to the chassis?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 181
Likes: 34
From: Frankfort Kentucky
If it's a D36 the "service parts" are not a problem. Now changing the gear can get complicated, if it's a 2 series gear you'll either need a 3-series case to get into the 3's or you'll need a "thick gear" package. The ratios are pretty limited these days. Maybe 3.54 and 3.73 for "thick gears"! What ratio were you intending?
I'm guessing your buy was for a "complete" with hubs, suspension etc? You're bolting the front of the housing (at the pinion) to a fixed bracket in your chassis? Are you using the complete "bat-wing" or modifying that also for attachment to the chassis?
I'm guessing your buy was for a "complete" with hubs, suspension etc? You're bolting the front of the housing (at the pinion) to a fixed bracket in your chassis? Are you using the complete "bat-wing" or modifying that also for attachment to the chassis?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,331
Likes: 2,722
You should be good with a 3.70 in a thick gear and for the D36 you should only need 6 bearings, 3 seals and some shims. It's usually a package and will cost $110 or so. I'd do a clutch pack, pinion washers, pinion shaft for the posi and it should be "as new"! I haven't bought pinion washers and a shaft for a D36 in a long while. They're often overlooked in a build and might be harder to find.
When will you have the rear?
If you wanted to do this with a D44, I've a new housing, new bat-wing, new differential, a choice of 3.54, 3.73 or a 4.10 gear. It's all either NOS or New Dana brand stuff. Not inexpensive but quite sound stuff. Being NOS the housing and the bat-wing would be very easy to "POLISH"!!
I'm quite sure I've left and right hubs/spindles etc also.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Aug 6, 2012 at 08:49 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer