Advice on OE ring and pinion

[ck1insac]

Hey guys, I am restoring a 72 c10 and will be putting in a fresh 383 stroker build. This is my first rear end rebuild, I am going to install an Eaton Trutrac in the diff and currently have OE 3.73 gears. When I pulled the pinion, I noticed the crush sleeve didn’t appeared to be crushed. ???

You all see any issues staying with the OE gears and axles? I don’t see any excessive wear, but am wondering if they will endure the new 383.

[tj1970cst]

It has been crushed, you need to replace it now that you have taken it apart. You can just put it together with the same pinion shims. You will have to set the backlash correctly because of the new carrier.

[Sheepdip]

Originally Posted by tj1970cst

It has been crushed, you need to replace it now that you have taken it apart. You can just put it together with the same pinion shims. You will have to set the backlash correctly because of the new carrier.

What he said^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ But I see another problem...….

Your shop/garage is way, way too clean!

[Mike C]

Avoiding wheel hop will do wonders to help the ring & pinion survive. Get a set of CalTrac bars for your truck.

The ultimate in precision in setting pinion preload is to shim it, but a lot more work than using a crush sleeve. I would put it back together with a new installation kit and run it.

[cebra]

I went with the crush sleeve eliminator and really liked it as you can change the pinion seal at any time without having to pull the pinion and recrush the sleeve. I will prewarn that it has to be exact to get you to your pinion preload setting, .001" will change it up to 20 in lbs up and down but once in it is reusable and done.

[ck1insac]

Thank you all. Placing my order today through Summit. We’ll see how the install goes. Looking forward to it!

[68Gold/white]

Factory gears should be fine with a 383. The axles should be fine also
The things that get you into trouble are when you get great traction. That taxes everything in the drive train.

Mike C., I am unsure why a traction device would be needed on one of these coil spring rear ends. The control arms pretty much keep flex out of the differential. Maybe on a racing deal. If I'm missing your point, let me know...

[HO455]

Are you planning on drag racing the truck on a regular basis with slicks? Is it a 4 speed? If so then a C--clip eliminator kit is going to be necessary. (Which like most things in life they have drawbacks) I would also recommend scribing a line along each axle shaft to monitor axle twist.
With slicks and some kind of traction device (to keep those leaf springs under control) your rear end should be fine. Unless you're seriously downplaying the potential of you new 383.

[ck1insac]

It will be a solid 383, but no plans for the track. It’s my first rebuild so it will be more a cruiser and for going to local car shows. Having a lot of fun on this rebuild so far. Learning a ton from you experienced guys out there.

Wish I would have had the time 20 years ago to find this passion, but at 44, still got time for a few more builds!

[Bigdav160]

Originally Posted by tj1970cst

It has been crushed, you need to replace it now that you have taken it apart. You can just put it together with the same pinion shims. You will have to set the backlash correctly because of the new carrier.

I am going to disagree with this premise. If the sleeve is over crushed you, obviously, can't go back but it's not hard to go to the same place it was before it was disassembled.