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Trying to order seals, gasket etc. for a basic '69 442. Build sheet says W29, car is an automatic, w/AC. What size ring gear and axle type should it be from the factory?
As a 69, if it’s all factory, it is the type “O” axle assembly (provided it’s not Canadian made). Being it’s an ac car, gears are 3:23 or less for lower rpm with the ac.
I believe they are 8.5”, 12 bolt cover with 10 bolt ring gear. (They are not chev style with C clip retainers!)
the 69 used a sealed bearing outside of the axle seal. The seal is installed in the axle tube and then the axle is slid through for installation.
The sealed axle bearing is held in place by a press fit retainer on the axle, you will need a press to install it.
The axle is held in with an external retainer plate bolted with 4 nut/ bolts at the end of the axle tube. You need to remove the brake drum and then you can rotate the axle and line up the nuts through the holes in the axle hub.
also it should be a 28 spline if stock.
hopefully someone on here will have a 69 assembly book and can show the assembly diagram for you.
monzaz is our differential expert if you pm him he could surely get you pointed in the right direction and he may have the parts you need.
The sealed axle bearing is held in place by a press fit retainer on the axle, you will need a press to install it.
Indeed. But getting that retainer and bearing pressed OFF the axle is the fun part. I had a heck of a time getting these off, a bearing separator alone didn't cut it for me, I needed to use a Dremel to grind a slot in the retainer to weaken it, then hit it w/ a sledge and hardened chisel to get it to split and come off. Then when pressing off the bearing, the bearing separator I was using was flexing too much and loading the outer race rather than getting anything to the inner race. This resulted in the outer race exploding off the bearing and ***** flying everywhere (use PPE!). Then the separator was able to grab onto the inner race and press it off. If there are better tricks to doing this, I'm all ears.
Back when I worked at an auto parts store with a machine shop, we would grind a slot in the retainer then use a chisel to crack it. Just be sure not to nick the shaft. Use a sledge to crack the the bearing outer race, then remove the inner race the same way as the retainer. Press the bearing on, then press the bearing retainer on. Don't forget the axle retainer flange.
Below is a screen shot of my differential Excel database with part numbers:
