Differential Yokes

[Allan J. Wicklund]

BB and SB. Interchangable?

[Joe L.]

Re: Differential Yokes

Allan----

You don't say what year you are talking about and which yokes (pinion flange yoke or stub axle yoke).

The cap type (big block and some C3 small block) and the u-bolt type (most small blocks) stub axles are completely interchangeable in any 63-79 unit.

The pinion flange yokes were never big block/small block specific. However, there are different flanges that were used over the 63-79 years for certain model years and certain transmission applications. Pinion flanges are as follows:

63-64----not interchangeable with any other years; u-bolt attachment;

65-70----with manual trans; interchangeable with any 65-79 unit; u-bolt attachment;

68-70----with automatic trans; interchangeable with any 65-79; same as all 71-79; strap-and-bolt type attachment;

71-79---all; interchangeable with any 65-79; same as 68-70 with auto trans trans; strap-and-bolt-type attachment.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

I missed one for the pinion flanges:

65-67 with Powerglide-----same as 65-70 with manual trans.

[Allan J. Wicklund]

Re: Addendum

Hi Joe, Thanks for all the info.. In the case at hand it's a simple 66 to 66 swap. A mechanic friend of mine installed a brand new Differential that came with the wrong Spline assembly. SB should have ordered BB. Thanks, Al W.

[Joe L.]

Re: Addendum

Allan-----

What "spline assembly" are you referring to? For any 1965-79 Corvette differential assembly there is no difference between ANY of the splined components.

[Mike B.]

Re: Addendum

If you all will permit me,my Al Wicklund tale.Al and I hung out a little bit in high school a long time ago.Then in 1963 or 64 we were drafted.I did not see Al after that.About 3 mos. back I spotted his name on this website and we hooked up on a phone call..40+ years later,and STILL a nice guy.He's in NY,I'm in Fl.

[Allan J. Wicklund]

Re: Addendum

Hey Mike! Thanks for the kind words! Still Crazy after all these years! Corvette Crazy that is! Joe I'm not informed about what my mechanic friend is swapping out other than it's the Driveshaft Yoke and a BB car that the owner ordered a SB Differential for, vintage 66. Is there any other Vette than Mid-Year? JMHO Al W.

[Joe L.]

Re: Addendum

Allan------

For 1966, the pinion flange (i.e. differential "driveshaft yoke") is exactly the same for small blocks and big blocks. However, the stub axle (i.e. "yoke axles") are different. There is absolutely no difference, though, with respect to the spline configuration on the small block style and big block style axles. So, these can easily be interchanged prior to the time the installation is made.

Are there any other year Corvettes besides mid-years? Absolutely YES. They have been making these cars for 55 model years now. I appreciate each and every year. Do I have favorites? Absolutely. But, that does not change the fact that I appreciate each and every year equally.