I have bought Patrick's kit and due to the fact I have to remove the axle to replace the wheel studs (thanks Bruce Mitchell) I am going to start the install. I am new to working on cars and have never cracked open a diff so this thread may become quite long as I am sure I will have a lot of questions. To start I have two questions. 1) Does anyone have any tips before I get started? 2) Has anyone documented these steps, or have better pic's as the ones in the Patrick's instructions are a bit blurry. I will be taking many pictures and documenting my process so I may be able to show my progress or ask specific questions. Thank you to all on the board. -Casey
stovebolt page Stovebolt page has a write up on this gear swap. I've forgotten how to put up a link to the article. Go to the web site and on the left side click on tech, scroll down to the patricks gear swap. Hope this helps. Chris
Rear end tips 1. I recommend the buddy system, make a buddy out of a local mechanic or machinist who has an interest in your project. They make valuable advisors when you get in a jamb. And they can be close enough top get a look at the issues. 2. make lots of measurements as you take your old rear end apart. Especially the depth of the pinion inside the rear end housing. This will help you figure out how many shims you may need on the new pinion install to get close the first try. 3. Stay in touch with Patrick, he wants these projects to work, he will sell more gear sets, he will explain any nconfusion in his instructions on the phone. I really enjoy my 355's. Jim
tips LOTS OF ROOM You wont believe how much room you will need to pull the shaft and re fit it dont try it in a small garage like i did, wrecked a few items swinging it around before i gave up and moved outside
take the third member out (aka center section with the gears) to a machine shop to have gears set up or like he says a good machanic with the proper tools and knowlege if not your gears wont last 500 miles !!!!!!! i have seen this movie !!!! if not kaboom goes there your new gears and you'll have to buy another set and start all over !!!! also have new pinon bearing and seal installed , and new carrier bearings , take extra time to clean housing out get rid of all little chunks of metal inside . and new wheel bearings if needed !!!!!! you can save some money on the bearings by going to a bearing belt and chain place !!!! take old ones with you so they can match them up !!!!!!! doug p.s bearings should be shinny !!!! any pits or dull spots or blue or purple spots THEY ARE JUNK !!!! EVERY ONE I HAVE EVER HAD APART IS WORE OUT, GREASE OR GEAR OIL LOOKS LIKE SILVER PAINT !!!!! THATS METAL IN THE OIL !!!!!! so take your time do it right you'll only have to do it once !!!!!!!! hope this helps !!!!!!! doug
Patrick's 3:55 gears I installed Patrick's kit in my 51 about 9 months ago. The Stovebolt site's instructions were good - suggest you print a copy. One thing that I did that the instructions did not suggest, was to remove the transmission cross-member - that helped to remove the drive shaft and gears attached. I don't think I would have been able to get it out otherwise. You will need a bearing removal tool (I rented one from the auto parts store) and you will need a pipe from the hardware store (the instructions has the size and length). I found that the bearings (removal and install) were fairly easy. The number of shims to install the get the right lash is a little time consuming. Some of the bolts want to have many lbs of torque applied - a little impossible unless you have a huge vise. Other than the simple tools that Patrick suggests, there is not much more required...his kit has all the bearings, pins, seals ,etc (if you purchase the entire kit). I spent two days on it....just me doing all the work. Good Luck. Penniwinkle
