455 Olds 442

Hi all, Looking for an opinion. Is it worth hunting down a posi track rear end for my 72 442 or can I convert it easy enough. Mine is the 10 bolt, yes inside bolts.

Richard

jag1886

You can put a posi unit in your current rear end but you need to have someone that knows how to set up a ring and pinion. It isn't just a simple bolt in.

oldsman72

I had my '72 10-bolt open rear converted with an Auburn posi unit. Mechanic installed, very glad I had it done. I recommend it!

Fun71

I have installed Limited Slip Diffs in place of open diffs on several rears. There was no need to do a full gear setup; I only needed to ensure the backlash was correct. I'm not saying that is the case on all rears, but it has worked for me on all of mine.

455 Olds 442

Hi, I have had this come back to me from a diff specialist "To supply and install an Eaton LSD to your 10 Bolt would be $1500, including new carrier bearings." Seems a bit steep to me. How much did you pay?

kitfoxdave

way too much... Brian Trick has show quality completely rebuilt rears for less than that... He does great work!

boese1978

I was quoted 600$ here in Minnesota for a posi swap with gear set up etc.....

507OLDS

I can build you a complete 8.5" 10-bolt rear,any ratio,for $1100.00 plus the freight. I have shipped to Australia before,but the buyer had me ship it to a dock in California,where it then went on a boat.I don't know what it cost to go from California to Australia,as I did not arrange that.
The rear,on a pallet,will weigh 225lbs. It goes as a class 85. If you need dimensions,it would be 5'x3'x2'.
I have shipped other rears overseas,and some had me ship to a dock on the east coast,like New York or New Jersey.
BTW,I didn't forget about your tail lights.

jag1886

I paid $700 for posi, ring and pinion and new bearings installed. I bought the parts and took them to the installer. The installer wanted $1200 if he supplied the parts so he was ripping my lips off for the same exact parts.

Fun71

Wow.

Eaton 19557-010
$500 at Summit Racing, Jeg's, etc.

Timken LM501349/LM501314 carreir bearing/race
~$12 from any auto parts store (2 sets = $24)

FEL-PRO RDS550281 diff cover gasket
~$4 from any auto parts store

couple quarts diff oil

So maybe $600 for parts with taxes and shipping and $900 labor to install those parts.

I'm in the wrong business.

Sampson

Not sure of your level of experience. I have a lot of experience in other areas but had never rebuilt a rear end. I bought a posi and 3:42 gear set and a good instructional video from Richmond gears on set up. Between the vid and the help from members from CO was able to set that baby up without issue. It takes a lot of patience to figure it out but not that hard. You do need some special tools like a mag base dial indicator and a good micrometer. The key is patience and trial and error. Posi set and gears really mak a difference

507OLDS

Just an FYI,the new Eaton carriers have a larger bearing hub,so the correct bearings/races are LM102949 and LM102911. A few dollars more but reasonable.
My $1100.00 price was for a complete rear,with all new parts,ready to run,invade anyone got confused.