FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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........