On the 71 Cutlass I just picked up, I found the code "R2 0053" stamped on the passenger side tube, facing forward. It is a 10 bolt. I do not see any posi tag so I was wondering... do I have the dredded 2.56 peg leg?

 

Yes - R2 designates a 2.56 ratio according to my Chassis Service Manual. Not sure if "0053" stands for a date code; it's my understanding a letter should be present also to indicate the month.

 

Thanks for the reply stlbluesbrother. I was afraid of that. It does cruise nice on the highway though. When I get done with all the little stuff I'm fixing, I will have to see about a 3.42 posi for it for some more gitty up!

 

R2 O 053
R2 = 2:56 open
O = Oldsmobile
053 = 53rd day of the year - This is the day the axle was completed.

There is another date code on the side of the pumpkin,just behind the yoke.This is when the pumpkin was cast.

You can install a set of 3:42's & a matching posi unit into your existing housing,or swap-out the entire rear for a complete 3:42 posi rear.

 

Thanks Brian for the decoding information.

 

anybody got 1?

 

i have a 70 vista cruiser housing with good ring and pinion, want to use it in 68 442 because of larger rear brakes and gearing...

 

The Vista Cruiser rears are a direct swap into a Cutlass/442.They have the wider brake shoes,& the larger wheel bearings.The 70 Vista rear uses the SET-10 or A-10 taper-roller axle bearing.The only hard thing to get for the brakes is the wheel cylinders.They are somewhat scarce to find new,so you can either rebuild the original cylinders,or their is a replacement to is the correct size,but you will need to open-up the hole in the backing plate,where the wheel cylinder passes through.The originals are flat accross the bottom.You just need to make a complete circle.

 

I tried to find a customer the drums and could not find the 2.5 X9.5 drums...Any clue where you can get them?

Jim

 

have entire axle, open 2.56-1 aquiring 2.56 posi complete. both are complete drum 2 drum, but still want a 673 posi carrier for open axle upgrade. i have 1, but it's in a axle i'm using w/ 278-1 gears... anybody have a 673 28 spline carrier for sale? also looking for 31 spline HOUSING OR COMPLETE AXLE, HOUSING# (CASTING#39413OR 394139 W/ 672 POSI CARRIER AND HOPEFULLY [not mandatory] 3.91 GEARS)3.91-1 1968 axle tube code TO or T3
thx Scottyb
530-903-1559 530-333-3558 or either email c.kenworthy@att.net or sbaldridge@eid.org

 

Jim,
I was actually able to get new drums about a year ago,but it was the wheel cylinders that got hard to get.I think the cylinders were $44.00 each,& they acted like they were the last 2 on the planet.

I have both TO & T3 rears,& a few other 31-spline rears,with the 672 carriers.I also have an NOS 588 carrier,still in the GM box.

 

interested in either of the 31 splines if for sale esp if one has 3.91 gears, guess you don't have a loose 673 posi carrier for 28 spline? how which gear in to t3 and how much for each? scottyb 530-903-1559 sbaldridge@eid.org or 530-333-3558

 

I don't have any 673 carriers right now.I do have two if the 672 carriers,in boxes,along with gears & such.The T3 rear currently has 4:66's in it,that were installed in 1973,but I have the original 3:91's to go back in.The big thing with the 67-69 O-axle rears are the axle shafts,even the thicker 31-spline shafts.They are notorious for spinning the bearings,thus junking the axle shafts.The 31-spline shafts were thicker,but they weren't any harder.I need to look at these shafts,& go from there.
I normally put the 672 carriers into a 70 O-axle housing,& have 31-spline axles made.The 70 Housings have a better SET-9 bearing.The axles can be made from any of the manufacturers out there.The 70 Vista housings have a bigger SET-10 bearing,& the only place I have found that can make custom axles for that particular application,is Mark Williams,at $650.00/pr.

 

interested to buy to or t3 31 spline loose housing, with 3.91 posi carrier loose ok, 3.91 ring and pinion. for sale? price if so, location? not in huge hurry scottyb
530-903-1559 530-333-3558 c.kenworthy@att.net or sbaldridge@eid.org i move around a bit...