HI All, I think I got my first real good deal on Ebay!!!!

Anway got a 8.5 10 bolt out of a Nova. 3.42 posi fully assembled shipped to my door for 550$. Anyway at first glance it looks like it is in great shape. Just curious what types of things can I test before I put it in...?

I checked the following:

Axle bearings look good.
Seals look good
Axles look good...there is some slight discoloration on the bearing surface. basically some black spots. I took a brillo and cleaned them up it feels real smooth.
Gears look good...there is a little surface rust on a few of the teeth (Is that a big deal)

Backlash is .060...is that within spec.
Spider gears look good.

I guess my real question..is there anyway to test the posi before I put it under the car? I would hate to put it in then have to pull it out.

Thanks
Chris

Freebird - what (e-bay) parameters did you use to execute your search. I wantt the same rear end.

Sorry I am not a rear end expert, so I can't help with your questions.

Thanks!

Hi Dave...I ran the same searches every day for 3 months...Finally got lucky...

Camaro 10 bolt
Nova 10 bolt...this is the one I hit on.
camaro rear end
nova rear end
skylark posi


Honestly not sure why it was so cheap..most of the ones I see are between 700-1000$

I paid 400$ + 150$ shipping.

Right place right time I guess.

Also forgot to ask...previous owner says it is from a 73 with 60K miles behind a 6 cyl. Did they use this rear in 6 cyl applications?

If the backlash is .060 then that is about .050 too much. Are you sure that you checked it right? The pinion must be held perfectly still when checking the backlash. Use a belt or something wrapped around the yoke and the snout of the housing to hold it still. Set the indicator up on a ring gear tooth so that it measures the rotational movement of the gear.
http://thumb7.webshots.net/t/59/159/2/86/24/2637286240041712107oiiXDv_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2637286240041712107oiiXDv)

Thanks Big gear gead....used the belt came in at .008..is that more on target?

Also I pulled the carrier to check the bearings just for the heck of it..they need to be changed as well as the pinion bearing that is closest to the yoke..(The big pinion bearing looks fine)

As long as I keep the shims the same can I just swap out the bearings or will that throw the setup off. I realize I will probably need a new crush washer and will have to reset the pre-load on the pinion.

I think you got a good deal.

Yes, .008 is good. You might as well get a good installation kit for the parts that you need. It would be cheaper than buying all of those bearings seperately. You can get a kit without shims for about $42 plus shipping. The kit will have a new pinion nut and seal, pinion and differential bearings, crush spacer and some other small parts.