Ehco1

Long story made short. I took my rear differential to a local mechanic to change the original gear set to 373s. I have needed extra part after extra part. Most of I guess was a good idea, why not replace everything with new parts. Anyway now he says "I have not worked on many vettes" and the ring gear does not seem to fit properly. He thinks it needs to be driven down by using the bolts to seat it into place. This one can be lightly tapped into place, or just snog not tight. Do I need to get a new ring gear, or is this fit good.

GTR1999

You better read my thread and get a new guy, if he doesn't know how to install a ring gear on a case, how is he going to do anything else? What brand of gear are you using, Richmonds are a PITA even for experienced guys, Toms are good but you'll have to look to find the 373's. Yukons setup ok but are imported. You're going to need a full master kit,gears,and a posi kit at the minimum.
Good luck.

Lightweight 001

The fit is just fine. Who is the manufacturer of the gear set and what year differential is it?

Ehco1

I am not sure who the manufacturer is. I picked it up on ebay out of an 1982. They were installed for a few hours and removed, or so the story goes. My car is a 1980. I have everything else, new clutches for the Posi, rebuild kit bearings and seals. The rebuild kit was a real hassel to get the right one. The vendors wanted to sell me a 12 bolt and it needed the eight bolt.

GTR1999

well you're dealing with an unknown part and condition. Most mfg will have their logo or name stamped on the RG side.
on top of not being familar with vettes your guy is dealing with a weak unit to start. 80-82 alunimun are not very good. I won't even touch them. I suggest you contact the guy who does these the best and have him do it or you're going to be doing it over again.

Binnie77

Your best advice here, listen to Gary

Manuel Azevedo

I would find a way to send that unit or up grade it as per what Gary suggests. You want someone who knows whats up and is caring about your car and your needs and Gary is who you want. Just my opinon!

stinger12

you have a pm.

VETTE077

GTR1999 What do you mean Richmond is a pita.I installed one in my car and cant seem to get the whine out of it when you let off the gas or at low speeds. Even changed pinion brg and still has a whine,not loud but it is there. I have heard Richmond are noisy is yhis true?

1Fordman

When the master speaks (GTR1999) us less knowledgeable best listen!

VETTE077

Thats good I just need to know if it is true that Richmond are generally noisy. I thought I was buying a good product. It was done at the Chevy dealer where i work and everything was set up right with a good pattern,Its just a little noisy and not coming out again!

Binnie77

I put a set of 3.55 Richmond gears in mine. I drove about 30 miles and they were so loud, I had to take them out. I swear you could hear them whine going down the driveway.

GTR1999

Richmonds require some time to setup. I generally don't use them and they require a lot more lash then I normally set up the mfg to. Now the 12 bolt conversions use Richmond gears so I have no choice but I can tell you I have to machine the shims to dial them in and it take me a while to do it.

The GM gears were the best IMO, but no longer avail. I really wouldn't trust used gears so unless someone has a set with history then I won't use them.

I like Tom's gears but how long they'll be around I couldn't say as US gear has been aquired from what I'm told. I can say the Tom's gears I have on the shelf are becoming "rare" collectibles, just like corvettes!!! LOL

You will get some noise from most aftermarket gears,just how much depends on the setup. I have a set of Tom's 336 gears and I can hear a slight whine @60 mph but no one else does. The whine you're referring too is noticiable by anyone. Some places will tell you that's just the way they are but unless they show you a spec sheet and pattern pictures who knows if that is correct.

So should you use the Richmonds? That's a personal choice. If you do be sure you get the pattern as close to perfect as you can along with the lash.I wouldn't do it unless I had access to a surface grinder to grind off 001" at a time to set them up.Like I said that 12 bolt vette diff I just did was "Fun" when it came to setting them up.

Good luck