3.42 owners speak up please!!

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Feb 20, 2002 | 09:44 PM

SR1654

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 352

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From: Arlington TX

3.42 owners speak up please!!

I have a 98 C5 auto and my diff. crapped out on me. Anyhow, I ordered what we (myself and Shawn at LAPD) thought was the correct set of 3.42's for my car to replace my 3.15's. Well they got to the shop and we noticed that on the 3.42's there is a hole on the side that attaches to the tranny. This hole is not on the 3.15's. Now this would not be too much a problem except that there are notches on the bottom and top and the diff. fluid would drain right out. So now I am having to send the 3.42's back and have to go bk to the 3.42's. Arghhhhhhhhhhh Anyone else run into this issue?? Does anyone know if there is a version that is different out there that would be compatible to my tranny?? I need help and fast!! :confused:

Feb 20, 2002 | 10:48 PM

Mike Mercury

Team Owner

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 54,204

Likes: 180

From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member

Re: 3.42 owners speak up please!! (Buckmaster)

SR1654

I just did this exact mod: mikemercury.home.att.net/342.htm

what I think you are seeing is the 3.42 does not come with the seal plate. This plate needs to be removed from the old carrier and transferred over to the new 3.42 (or you could just buy a new one... it is 3 seperate pieces).

does this pic show the "hole" you are seeing?

and I bet your removed 3.15 carrier looks like this at that same end:

the seal plate is a 6 inch diameter aluminum disc that has a rubber seal in the center of it.

[Modified by Mike Mercury, 10:41 PM 2/20/2002]

Feb 20, 2002 | 11:29 PM

CRUZMISL

Safety Car

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 3,514

Likes: 0

Re: 3.42 owners speak up please!! (Mike Mercury)

I can't answer but i can say all the gears from the 2.73 to the 3.42 are interchangeable.

Joe

Feb 21, 2002 | 01:03 AM

WALLstAL

Race Director

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 15,466

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From: GARDENA Ca, State Of Konfusion

St. Jude Donor '05

Re: 3.42 owners speak up please!! (CRUZMISL)

Thats why I like to use experienced C5 techs.

This is the PT# 12551769 for the 3.42!

Feb 21, 2002 | 01:07 AM

SR1654

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 352

Likes: 0

From: Arlington TX

Re: 3.42 owners speak up please!! (wallstAL)

This is exactly what I needed to know. Now how do I get this seal plate?? I hope that I can get it from my local chevy dealership.

Feb 21, 2002 | 01:34 PM

SR1654

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 352

Likes: 0

From: Arlington TX

Re: 3.42 owners speak up please!! (SR1654)

To all that helped out with this post...Thank You sooooooo much! All the info and advice paid off and I finally got my car on the road to full recovery with my new 3.42's. :D Just for fyi purposes...If you order the 3.42's and have 3.15's, you will need to remove the seal plate as pictured above (takes a little work to get it off) and its best to get a new "O" ring seal for it (part # 12457739) from Chevy..cost was approx $ 21.67. I am just glad that it all worked out and I will be enjoying my new gears soon. Thanks again! Sidney PS Corvette Forum members rule!!! :cheers:

Feb 21, 2002 | 01:57 PM

oceanaire

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 1,191

Likes: 0

From: Palm Beach Shores, FL

Re: 3.42 owners speak up please!! (SR1654)

Got my complete set from SLP. Mike Norris installed them without a hitch.

Feb 21, 2002 | 06:01 PM

Redvette_22

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 5,009

Likes: 38

From: jackson nj

Re: 3.42 owners speak up please!! (oceanaire)

When I had my 3.42's installed, replacing the 3.15's they just removed the plate from the original rear and reused it. Can't yours be done the same way, I have never heard of having to re-purchase that plate. Even my friend when installing 3.73's did not have this problem.