Can I ID a rear end from my fender tag?

[macsdaddy]

Well just like the title says I am wondering if the info on the rear end for my car is in the fender tag or is reading it direct off the rear end the only way?

[MEK-Dangerfield]

You can ID the gears, if that's what you are asking.

[Alaskan_TA]

If you have a car that came with an axle package, then yes.

Otherwise you have to check. Even with the code you should check, a lot of axles & gear sets have been swapped out over the years.....

[Chryco Psycho]

as above , the tag on the diff is the best bet but still can be wrong if the gears have been swapped out

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Through in a tach thats off (like mine used to be) and it can really get confusing! 

[macsdaddy]

looks like the last 5 digits are 6 or 8 1489, does this seem right?

[hemiken]

When reading the third member of your differential center, you always reffer to the last three digits.  In your case, your center is a 489 case.   You can reffer to it as that when ordering a repair kit or rebuild kit for the seals and bearings as a 489 case.

[macsdaddy]

So with that said do I do the old wheel turn test to find out the gearing?  According to my fender tag I have a torqueflite transmission, so what should I be preparing for or considering if I want to hook this up to the 360 I just bought and am going to build?

[purple1]

Well... Sounds like you have an 8 3/4 rear and a 489 case in it. Thats all good. But still not enough info to tell what gear is in it.

One of the bolts that hold the center section to the housing should have a small tag attached. It will have a number on that tag. But like was already mentioned if the gears have been changed it may still be wrong.

As far as the 360 install it depends. All 360's are balanced externaly with a weighted converter. At min. you need the correct converter.

Hope this helps.

Dave

[macsdaddy]

The guy I bought the motor from mentioned the converter too.  As for the tag, no dice so I will have to figure that out down the road, one thing that did concern me was when I tried the ol' spin the wheels count the rotation on the drive shaft, the ds did not move consistantly, it would ocassionaly move a quarter turn or so but thats it, the wheels would spin freely but no to little action in the DS.  I tried it in every postion in the gear box with no difference...Tranny issue?

[purple1]

If that tag is missing, someone has removed it and didn't put it back. One sure way is to open it up. The gearing will be stamped on the ring gear its self. Might not be a bad idea to change seals and fluids if it has been sitting anyway. Then you would know for sure what gear is in it.

You say you have the engine out? If the trans is out of alignment, making the u-joints hang up that could be the binding you feel.

Dave

[macsdaddy]

Half of the engine is in the guy I bought it from started to tear it down but lost interest mid way.  I know I am a long way from the mech stuuf in my restoration but I am trying to plan ahead and perhaps figure out if its worth the trouble to do a 4 speed.

[purple1]

Good luck with the resto. Keep us posted. Lots of good folks here to help out if you go the 4 speed route.

Dave