3.55 diff

[Sheriff]

Am in the process of getting a 3.55 diff to lower Edna's revs at 60mph highway cruising.   Wrecker has 2 which he has rejected as they were too worn in the planetary gear and will be pulling another out next week for me.   I have two questions, what would be a fair price to pay for a diff, his price is $120 with a money back guarantee if it is no good.   Also, if a diff is worn, how much money is involved in getting one reconditioned.  I suppose it depends on what is worn.  Maybe someone has had the experience.  Thanks, Mike.

[pedro]

Mike, i'm pretty sure 3.55 is standard gearing you need 3.08 from an automatic vehicle.
                                         Pedro

[pedro]

OOPS, should have checked the manual first it was EH onwards that had 3.55 as standard.
                                   Pedro

[crossply]

I picked up a 3.55 diff the other week.
The gears were in excellent condition with bugger all wear.
I also paid $120. I dont think you would be able to rebuild one with new gears for that money.
The taller ratio made a huge difference, well worth it.
Paul

[FC427]

I fitted a 3.36 to a mates Holden a few weeks back $120 from the wreckers they all seem about that now .......FC427......

[mcl1959]

Mike, is your car red or grey?  If grey the 3.55 should be OK, but I would choose 3.36 if it was a stock red and 3.08 if a warmed red or auto.

Ken

[Sheriff]

Ken, it is a grey, with twin carbs, extractors and 2inch system.  Have researched it a bit on the forum in past posts, plus on the FB/EK forum.  Am content that 3.55 is the way to go, just hoping to get a good one,  at the right price, or one that I don't have to spend much money on.  Will be buying new uni joint/bolts to suit red motor model.   Seems my price is pretty spot on.   Was wondering if anyone had any experience with rebuilding one, cost, etc.      Mike.

[Johns]

Hi Mike.

I had one rebuilt last year, cost about $350. It's behind a stock grey. The stock car pulls the 3.55 without stress and is still tractable at low speeds.

If I had a modified one I would consider a 3.36, to give the car better cruising legs.

regards
John

[reddo]

Hi Guys
Rather than shuffle diffs around.
I suppose the quick fix of using 14" wheels to give a better hwy cruising speed @ lower revs is out of the question... especially if ya wanna remain stock looking.
The difference is near equivelant to changing your stock 3.89 ( grey) diff for a 3.55 (late 1963 onwards ) diff.
Hey dont shoot me.. just another alternative.... and probably a lot dearer by the time ya buy another set of 14" rims and tyres. But if you already have a set laying around....... wellllllll.

Reddo

[Johns]

Its not a bad idea at all Reddo.

If it could be achieved with standard centres so a standard hubcap could be used I'd consider it. Tyre choice and cost becomes a lot better too. Lets face it HK-HG hubcaps look pretty ordinary on the older cars. So for that matter do Torana rims, as the offset is wrong.

The problem then is if you buy a full wheelcover such as Kathi has on her FE, the cost negates buying and recoing a taller diff.

I know Geoff K has addressed this with a standard centre. Does anyone know how or someone who could/would make up a 14" rim with the correct offset that would take a standard centre? If it were carefully done it would be hard to pick.

Cheers
John

[FC427]

I know they use to make them in 14'' and 15'' , the 14''outer was to suit 13'' center and the 15''outer was to suit 14'' center I had a set made up 20 odd years back. The trick was with the outer rim it had a step to suit the smaller center have not seen them in a long time. Not sure but the may have been made by GKN Sanky Benson ??? ??? ???.......FC427........