Crown And Pinion Help

[jeffw]

anyone know if the Crown and Pinion gears are still available?
I thought I would be ok with replacing the bearing sets but unfortunately the gears were damaged.
any one have a good used set or know where I can get one.
I did not see a listing On Opel GT Source so I am assuming that they are not available


I had replaced a set on my 72 GT back in the early 80's and I recall the guy saying that the GT had the same gears as a Chevette or something,
any one know
jeff

[jeff denton]

Just give them a call at OGTS. They have a whole lot more than what you see in the catalog!
Also try OpelJim, a member here who is in the Opel repair and used parts business.
Occasionally parts are available from members here, you'll probably get flooded with offers now that you've requested help.
A popular conversion is to use Isuzu Impulse gears, then you get a nice 3.89 ratio.
Lots of good information is in a thread called "different gear ratios".
I'm not sure what type rear you had, you mentioned a 72 but is that the same car you're working on? If you're doing a diff overhaul you want to start with the later style.
Hope this helps.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by jeff denton Just give them a call at OGTS. They have a whole lot more than what you see in the catalog! If you're doing a diff overhaul you want to start with the later style. Hope this helps.

OGTS definitely has more than they list.

Don't know if you know the difference in the two different style rear differentials. The earlier style uses "c" clips to retain the axles. The later style has press on bearings and can be removed without opening up the differential cover. The early style axle bearings are hard to come by but a few parts hoarders still might have a set or two.

Harold

[kwilford]

Good to talk to you a few minutes ago, jeffw (he called me from Newfoundland). It is for his 1972 GT, so the later differential is what he needs.

Jeff is going to be in the Hartford Connecticut area in a few weeks, so if someone nearby had a spare differential carrier assembly, he would be able to drop in and pick it up or ship it himself. That might be a better option than just the crown and pinion gears, and much less heavy to ship than a complete differential. I suggested that he contact RallyBob, as I believe that he lives fairly close to Hartford, and Jeff might have a day to kill and what better way to spend that than visiting with the Opel Meister.

[jeffw]

Thanks keith
I sent a PM to Bob and I have also sent a message to Gil and Dennis, if someone had a good used assembly would be fine foe me being an orginal 72 gt you believe that it would have 3:44 gears correct?

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by jeffw Thanks keith I sent a PM to Bob and I have also sent a message to Gil and dennise, if someone had a good used assembly would be fine foe me being an orginal 72 gt you belive that it would have 3:44 gears correct?

3.44 was standard in our GT's.

Now for the price from OGTS. Better hope Gil answers because Dennise may try to put it to you. Seriously though, Gil and Dennis are good people to deal with.

Harold

[jeffw]

Originally Posted by jeff denton Just give them a call at OGTS. They have a whole lot more than what you see in the catalog! Also try OpelJim, a member here who is in the Opel repair and used parts business. Occasionally parts are available from members here, you'll probably get flooded with offers now that you've requested help. A popular conversion is to use Isuzu Impulse gears, then you get a nice 3.89 ratio. Lots of good information is in a thread called "different gear ratios". I'm not sure what type rear you had, you mentioned a 72 but is that the same car you're working on? If you're doing a diff overhaul you want to start with the later style. Hope this helps.

To change to 3:89 ratio
is that just a change of the the ring and pinion gear only
I have new bearing for that existing set-up would they have to change as well or could I use them with the 3:89
how much modification would be required and where could I get the gears
Rally Bob indicated that he may have a set of 3:44 gears and I am waithing to hear back from him.
our summers are short here and I was looking to get the GT back on the road asap

[jeff denton]

The Impulse swap is discussed a lot, if you enter "impulse" in the search it should come up. As I recall, it can be as simple as a ring and pinion swap, hope you have ALL the bearings. There might be a slight issue putting the Impulse ring on the GT carrier, sometimes a spacer is needed when you go up from 3.44. This should all be covered in the very helpful threads about this, unless an expert wants to jump in here.
I lucked out when I went to 4.22 gears, they came with a locked carrier and ALL the bearings! Thanks again, Stan!
The Impulse parts are in the junkyards, generally you have to buy the entire diff, not a bad thing.
The diff setup is pretty straightforward if you treat it like any other differential, but if you use the FSM it will horribly confuse and and frustrate you. That's all covered in threads about the process, too.
Hope this helps.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by jeffw Rally Bob indicated that he may have a set of 3:44 gears and I am waiting to hear back from him.

I found a spare matching 3.44 set today. Just need to remove the ring gear from the differential.

Bob

[jeffw]

That's great Bob
If you PM me your contact info I will give yo a call.
while replacing the diff bearing I was going to replace the torque tube bearing and gasket at the same time.
I did not obtain the wheel bearing, I guess they should be replaced as well any suggestions,
Jeff

[jeffw]

Well
Thanks to Rally Bob my GT is back in original shape again!
I can not believe the difference a set a gears can make
Mine were shot, Bob was good enough to provide me with a set to get me back on the road, again many thanks,
Keith you were right!
The visit to Bob's shop was certainly worth the trip
He is surely a master in his craft.
I look forward to seeing him in the NL Targa event in the future.
I will certainly be here to cheer him on!
Thanks all
Jeff

[RallyBob]

Jeff, I'm glad all is well with your GT. It was a pleasure meeting you and sharing a meal (and a few TsingTao's). Glad you enjoyed the shop tour, I can only wish it was closer to being complete. Soon I hope.

Bob