Some questions on new to me DANA 60

[74BlueFish]

I broke an axle in my 8 3/4 last month and got that repaired. But I've bee looking for a truck DANA 60 to modify.  On craigslist I found a DANA for an F body.  I was for sale for a few months.  F body is a Camaro.   So I give him a call and he says its for a NOVA.  He can't post pictures, but says its a posi with 4:10 gears, and it measured about the same as my 8 3/4 flange to flange.
I get to his house in Miami and hes got about 10 in his backyard behind the fence.  He shows be the rearend outside under a tarp.  I look at it and it has snubber mount holes. 
Anyway, I buy it cause the flange to flange is same as my old rearend, perches are same as mine with my 1 inch spring location kit.
Get home find the BOM and its 603080-1  69 to 71  E- Body   Yahoo!    10/9/1969 date code
Bad part, tore it down and the pinion bearing was bad and the pinion.
Questions,  Is a rebuild possible for a me to do, or is a shop the best way to go. I am a mechanic but never worked on a rear end.
What type of posi unit is it?

My gear ratio now is 3.55,  Should I go with a 4.10 when I buy the new gears?  It's a street car and will only bring it to the strip a few times.
I do have a Viper transmission with overdrive.   Now i get 74 MPH at 1700 RPM,  with the 4.10 it will be 1965 RPM at the same speed.
Engine is a 505 stroker.  500 hp at the tires   Is 4.10 too aggressive, will i just be spinning tires?
Thanks,

Dan

[70chall440]

Dan,

Great find/score. Yes it can be rebuilt assuming there isn't any damage to the housing. Gear ratio is a personal preference issue, however based on what you are saying, I would go 3.55's especially since you have an OD trans (6th gear). The 4.10's are only going to equate to traction problems which will then push you to get slicks, followed by Caltracs (or some other traction aide), etc.

I have done gears in a few 8 3/4 and Dana's but had supervision. I am a big proponent of being self sufficient but in this case you might want to seek professional help if you need the car up and running quickly. That said, it is not magic or rocket science but can require some special tooling (case spreader, pinion wrench, dial indicators, etc.) and there is a definite benefit to knowing how to do it yourself.

If it were me and since the rear end is out of the vehicle, I would probably do a pile of research (and watch you tube) and attempt it myself. I once saw a DVD for sale that was supposedly a step-by-step guide to rebuilding rearends.

I would highly advise looking into getting a new driveshaft as that will now be your new "weak link", specifically the U joints. For years I reused driveshafts but given the relative inexpensive cost of them, there is little reason not to get one. I found a drive shaft company in Texas that made me an aluminum driveshaft for like $400 with whatever U joints I wanted. Definitely worth the money (less weight, good balance, big U joints).

[74BlueFish]

Thanks for your input.  That's what I was afraid of it just spinning the tires too easily with the 4:10
I have to get my drive shaft shorten for the dana.   It's a Dennys nitrous ready unit so I should be ok
I have time to work on it, car is running with the 8 3/4
I'll try to sell the 8 3/4 after I do the swap.
I'll check with Dr Diff on getting what I need

I have a press at work I can use.   The case spreader, no   But the carrier popped out easy with 2 long screwdrivers. so not really sure what I'll need

Thanks

[70chall440]

We are on the same page. The case spreader is required when tightening up the side shims I believe, again I am not a pro on them so I cannot say for certain and I was told that some rear end housings don't require a spreader.

Ask Cass (Dr. Diff) about a crush sleeve eliminator kit. I used them when I did my truck and as I recall they well work the money especially as a beginner (gives you room for error).

[74BlueFish]

Thanks.  I watched video that said you only need the spreader when you add the final shims assy preload
Some people said didn't use spreader used dead blow hammer.  I might just make a homemade spreader for one time use

[70chall440]

Good call, best of luck.