westside807

According to my vin # I have a 1971 cutlass with all original parts. A few weeks ago I had to replace the pinion gear and a 71 didn't work, I looked up a 70 pinion gear and it worked. Ok, so fast forward to Friday and the same thing happened with the power steering belt, the 71 was to small and the 70 was just right. Am I missing something here?? As far as I know the rear end and engine are original why is the 1970 parts working and the 71 parts at times not working??
Thanks for your help!

joe_padavano

Unless you have knowledge of the car from the day it was delivered, you don't know if parts are original or not. As for the PS belt, the 1970 and 71 belts are exactly the same P/N for the same configuration. The differences are A/C (45") vs. non-A/C (44"). That was either a catalog error or a counter person error.

Which "pinion gear" are you talking about? If it's the rear axle, I guarantee that you can't buy one for a 1970 Type O axle at any parts store.

westside807

Oops sorry I meant to say pinion seal. I know the last 2 owners which covers many many years but not to the birth, but according to the previous-longest owner it's all original. But I understand that some things may be changed and she not know. The truth is that I'm really hoping that my engine is a 1970 and not a 71. Btw I thought the counter guy said the 70 belt was a tad bit longer but it could've been a/c and non a/c.
Thanks for responding joe!!

joe_padavano

The Type O used 1966-1970 and the Corporate ten bolt used 1971-up both use exactly the same P/N pinion seal. Again, you got the wrong part the first time. I'd suggest finding a new parts source that has a clue in the future.

redoldsman

If it is a 70 model type O rear it will have 12 bolts on the cover. To be clear, it is not a 12 bolt rear end since the ring gear only has 10 bolts.

westside807

Ok thanks gentlemen! So I was just teased by the parts guy. All I know is I went in O'Reilly's asked for a pinion seal for a 71 olds cutlass, it didn't fit then exchanged it for a 1970 pinion seal it fit/worked. So... I have a 1970 rear end or the parts guy gave me the wrong part.

joe_padavano

One more time...

The 1970 (Type O) and 1971 (corporate ten bolt) pinion seals have the same part number. Even it you DID have a 1970 Type O, the correct 1971 pinion seal would have worked.

The parts guy gave you the wrong part the first time. Find a new parts guy.

wr1970

Like Joe said parts guy gave you the wrong part period. The other problem is the parts store you are using.