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While rebuilding the rear differential, noticed some small cracks in the housing. The rebuilder states that it has to be replaced. Can and is it wise to weild/braze the cracks? He states he would not. Now I am having a hard time finding a housing! Anyone out there have one laying around? Or know where I can get one? I can go up to a 79!
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Re: 64/mid year differential
You could weld. This repair could end up being very costly and I wouldn't consider it unless the part was very rare. You can find 63-79 Corvette rears in various states of assembly all the time on ebay and elsewhere. I'm sure that a lot of the Corvette recycle yards also have them. It really doesn't sound like you've put much effort into looking for one. They are very easy to find. -
Re: 64/mid year differential
Bob; are you talking about the outer case; rear cover; or the ring gear carrier? I've seen many of the 4 series carriers cracked. If it's the carrier don't bother welding it will crack again, but I don't see any real problem in brasing the main case, allthough I would probably go with another one. As for the rear cover you can purchase a new heavy duty one. DavidComment
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Re: 64/mid year differential
The housing is the housing, David. There is only one way to define it. The case is the thing the ring gear bolts to, the housing is the thing the case bolts into, and the cover is, well, the cover. As to brazing -only if it is not in a stressed area. These kind of cracks would be unusual in a non-stressed area of the housing since these kind of non-structural cracks would be more related to parts that endure heat cycle stress -like a water jacket. In that regard, a housing is likely to develop fatigue cracks in the pinion support and the bearing saddles. To weld these areas, again I consider this to be financially unreasonable, would require the skills of a very experienced cast iron welder and machinist since the casting would have to be thermally stress relieved and machined back to true. If it is in the case and not the housing as he wrote, then I completely agree with you. Just get a new one.Comment
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Re: 64/mid year differential
Thanks to all, I decided to replace with another. I was lucky to find another 64 with date and original cast #. In the long run I think this is the wisest move. Thanks again.Comment
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Re: 64/mid year differential
The correct name for main axle housing is the "differential carrier". As stated the internal casting that the ring gear bolts to, which contains the differential gears and (if equipped) positration clutch pack is the "differential case'.
DukeComment
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