Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

I'm going to need the smaller pinion flange for the '65 when I install the Caprice's old 12 bolt in there.

That 12 bolt now in the Caprice came from a 65 Impala convertible. I think it was a big block car, but would have to call Mal to find out for sure.

Seeing how Impala was the first year of that chassis and the Impala was the last year of the chassis, who knows what changes were made along the way.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

After talking with the Chadster, Mal, and Hoopers Differential, I think I got a plan. I also dug into the factory Chassis Service and Chassis Overhaul Manuals I have.

There is a consensus that I should take extra time to make sure of where everything is before I take the pinion nut and flange off and make double sure that I get it back together exactly the same. The factory manual says there should be 20-25 in. lbs of effort to turn the pinion, while used parts put back together need 10-15 in. lbs.

I thought I had an inch pound torque wrench, but I don't. I'll see if I can borrow one for this weekend. I'm hoping to have the rear done this weekend.

[SuperBuickGuy]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

10-15 inch pounds sounds about right for the pinion without the carrier.

[milner351]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

hopefully you can find a dial type torque wrench for that measurement - even a beam type could be tough to read under the car while turning.

You'll have it whipped in no time - measure twice, cut once. :D

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

I did get one thing done today. I yanked the pinion flange off the Caprice's old 12 bolt. I figured I do this one first and try to learn something if I screwed it up. After getting the pinion nut off, the flange was obviously pressed on. Something that was left out of all the conversations I had with everyone. Well, it just wouldn't fall off, so out came the hammer. A few raps and it came off. I'm pretty sure that the pinion is way out of adjustment inside. Of course, it doesn't matter on this 12 bolt as this one is getting new gears and center section later.

What should I do not to screw up the one that's on the car? Or, does screwing the flange back on put the setting back to where they need to be?

[DanStokes]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

There's a puller made to get these off. BTW - GM called that a "companion flange". No idea why. If you were replacing the seal you'd just put the flange back on and torque to spec. If the flange is changed I don't know if clearances change or not.

Dan

[TheSilverBuick]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

Slide hammer with the U-joint caps on? Or like Dan says, maybe a big Jaw puller.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

I'm betting my steering wheel\balancer puller will work. Not sure why I didnt think of this earlier.

This should be glorious fun doing this under the car tomorrow.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

After spending an hour trying to use the breaker bar from every angle imaginable under a car, I got out the compressor and busted out the impact. I hardly ever do this, but I was tired and wanted to get this done. That, and I smashed my funny bone twice.

Once I got the nut off the pinion nut, I dug out my harmonic balancer puller and hooked it up to the pinion. As I was tightening the center threaded rod by hand, the pinion flange fell off on my head. It' was like it wasn't never pressed on.


I bought a new pinion nut and it was bigger, taller. I didn't want the difference in measurements all screwed up, so I reused the original pinion nut slathered in Threadlocker red. It was still very tight.


I moved the jack stands under the differential so I could tighten up the bolts on the trailing arms. They need the car sitting on it's springs to be done correctly.


I didn't want that rusty looking pan hard bar hanging behind that nice, neat, clean black rear diff, so I painted it.


Here's the side shot. Much better compared to the before, butt dragger, shot. And, there is over two hundred pounds of crap in the trunk of the after shot.

Before:

After:



Took it for a test drive down to the local parts store. Oh, it's much snappier off the line. Full throttle was less than exciting because the carb's secondaries aren't opening. Grrrrrrr. I'm rebuilding a 750 dp tomorrow. It might accidentally find itself on the car.

[TheSilverBuick]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

I don't think the flange is supposed to be pressed on, I'm guessing the other one was rusted on. Glad to hear it's back on the road.

[cantvalve16]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

Way to go, Reb. Let us know how it is once that DP accidently falls onto the intake manifold.

[BangShiftChad]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

They aren't pressed on, but sometimes they can be a bit tight coming off due to all the crap that accumulates on them, plus rust.

I'm sure it's mint. Good job.

[milner351]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

Nice work Scott!

Why aren't the secondaries opening?

[SuperBuickGuy]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

good job scott.... still don't know why it's called the funny bone because no one laughs when they hit it :

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

good job scott.... still don't know why it's called the funny bone because no one laughs when they hit it :

Other people laugh when you hit it and your arm ceases to function. ha. ha.

Nice work Scott!

Why aren't the secondaries opening?

Don't know. I will find out today.