Difference between HO52 and HO72? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72C203503ONTHETREE · 09-19-2004, 12:10 AM

Theres a HO72 for sale that I am interested in, actually just the Detroit Locker it has. Is the HO52(what I have) the same as a HO72 as far as the carrier and Locker? Can I swap the carrier or can I remove the locker and swap it over to my HO52? Will a H072 center section swap over to my HO52? It supposedly has 4.10 gears, dont know what mine has yet. Thanks for any help.

Rod · 09-19-2004, 12:46 AM

You can drop the whole section in either rearend housing. I'm not sure about the carriers anymore... I dont have any that are not lockers, so I didnt have anything to look at to compare.

Duallie · 09-19-2004, 02:52 AM

I found a single and obscure source (an antique Hollanders) from the late 50's that made me think the HO52's had 2 spiders and the HO72's had 4. IIRC, Detroits don't have spider gears, so there wouldn't be ANY difference. So the answer to your question is: assuming the pinion sticks out from the axle housing the same distance forward, they are completely interchangeable.

These rearends have been around since 1946 and changed slightly about 1960 and again in the late 60's. The only differences I have found in the pumpkin is the pinion (mentioned above) and the addition of the ring gear deflection bolt sometime in the 60's. I think.

72C203503ONTHETREE · 09-19-2004, 08:31 AM

Thanks, the H072 has four pinions from what I can tell in the pictures. Have no idea what my HO52 has, havent had the cover off yet. AS far as I can tell, the 72 has ball bearingings for pinion bearings and the 52 has tapered bearings. I have the original manuals but they dont tell me what sizes the ring gears etc. are, just how to take one apart.

09-19-2004, 12:10 AM	#1
72C203503ONTHETREE Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Grant, Alabama Posts: 504	Difference between HO52 and HO72? Theres a HO72 for sale that I am interested in, actually just the Detroit Locker it has. Is the HO52(what I have) the same as a HO72 as far as the carrier and Locker? Can I swap the carrier or can I remove the locker and swap it over to my HO52? Will a H072 center section swap over to my HO52? It supposedly has 4.10 gears, dont know what mine has yet. Thanks for any help. __________________ 72 Chevy C20, SOLD (Dang it.) 09 Challanger RT six speed in all black. 74 Datsun 710 wagon, all 1.8 liters of screaming Datsun power. 73 C10 long bed, 350/350 combo, nice shape.

09-19-2004, 12:46 AM	#2
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	You can drop the whole section in either rearend housing. I'm not sure about the carriers anymore... I dont have any that are not lockers, so I didnt have anything to look at to compare. __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

09-19-2004, 02:52 AM	#3
Duallie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nikiski, Alaska Posts: 477	I found a single and obscure source (an antique Hollanders) from the late 50's that made me think the HO52's had 2 spiders and the HO72's had 4. IIRC, Detroits don't have spider gears, so there wouldn't be ANY difference. So the answer to your question is: assuming the pinion sticks out from the axle housing the same distance forward, they are completely interchangeable. These rearends have been around since 1946 and changed slightly about 1960 and again in the late 60's. The only differences I have found in the pumpkin is the pinion (mentioned above) and the addition of the ring gear deflection bolt sometime in the 60's. I think. __________________ Just as if I knew what I was doin'

09-19-2004, 08:31 AM	#4
72C203503ONTHETREE Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Grant, Alabama Posts: 504	Thanks, the H072 has four pinions from what I can tell in the pictures. Have no idea what my HO52 has, havent had the cover off yet. AS far as I can tell, the 72 has ball bearingings for pinion bearings and the 52 has tapered bearings. I have the original manuals but they dont tell me what sizes the ring gears etc. are, just how to take one apart. __________________ 72 Chevy C20, SOLD (Dang it.) 09 Challanger RT six speed in all black. 74 Datsun 710 wagon, all 1.8 liters of screaming Datsun power. 73 C10 long bed, 350/350 combo, nice shape.



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