Fitment of rear gears in axle

[heimue]

I have a set of 3.18 rear gears for sale, and the question has come up "where do they fit"?
1. - naturally, they are for the larger style axle, for the CIH engines;
2. - I know that the gears by itself share a common carrier for the 3.18 and 3.44. For any higher ratio, the carrier is different. What about a 4mm spacer I heard about?
3. - Since my 3.18 includes the complete carrier, bearings and what not, would they fit in any large housing? With or without spacer?
4. - Does it make a difference whether it's an early style axle, or a later style (with the different bearings)? Can one style carrier fit the other by using the correct bearings?
5. - What is the exact difference between the different bearings, to tell whether my set has the old or new style?

Dieter

[heimue]

Where are our rear end specialists? (No, I'm not thinking what you think, Roy... )

Dieter

[BQS4]

Dieter;
I don't know about the 3.18 gears, but, you can put the 3.67 gears in the 3.44 axle, but, it requires a 3mm spacer. This is what I have heard. I know "oldopelguy" Stephen has put 3.18 gears in just about every one of his Kadetts, he might chime in here.

[heimue]

Originally Posted by BQS4 Dieter; I don't know about the 3.18 gears, but, you can put the 3.67 gears in the 3.44 axle, but, it requires a 3mm spacer. This is what I have heard. I know "oldopelguy" Stephen has put 3.18 gears in just about every one of his Kadetts, he might chime in here.

I read an older post from Stephen already, where he was saying he had a bunch of Kadett Automatic axles with the 3.18s already in it.

Dieter

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by heimue 4. - Does it make a difference whether it's an early style axle, or a later style (with the different bearings)? Can one style carrier fit the other by using the correct bearings?

Dieter, the 3.18 gears will fit any housing, early or late, when used with a 3.44 style carrier. However if you have a later carrier (the differential itself, from 1971-later), it will NOT fit into an early housing (pre 1971), since there will be no room to fit the circlips to retain the early axles.

PS, I have 1969 Kadett wagon I will be parting out soon, it has the 3.18 rear axle with anti-roll bar mounts on it. If you want it you are welcome to it!

[Ooooner]

Originally Posted by heimue Where are our rear end specialists? (No, I'm not thinking what you think, Roy... ) Dieter

uh... You must be thinking about Harold!

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by Ooooner uh... You must be thinking about Harold!

Female only! Your's does look like an old womans though.

Harold

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr Female only! Your's does look like an old womans though. Harold

TMI, Harold.

[First opel 1981]

Quick question on diff gear ratio.
Is there a difference in gear ratio between a stock 4spd and a stock auto?

[Phoenix]

Depends on the model.

Otto's Driveline Guide

[First opel 1981]

Originally Posted by Phoenix Depends on the model. Otto's Driveline Guide

Oh, again, my bad. I keep forgetting people discuss more than GTs here.
Question aswered though. For the GT, the diff gear ratio (stock) are all the same with the 1.9.