Richmond Pro gear alert heads-up...
 

Documented last night on our car and confirmed from another Class racer in KY...the new 12-bolt Pro gears coming from Richmond have the pinion distance stamped incorrectly on the pinion head. First clue will be when checking the distance the numbers will call for about .230 shim lol.

Look for packaging labeled "Made in Italy". Seems Richmond moved their operations to Italy and the workers are having problems converting from their metric system. My guess is this is going to be expensive for Richmond as the problem surely extends further than just the 12-bolt versions.

Re: Richmond Pro gear alert heads-up...
 

Wow! Going to do it the old fashioned way, using the pattern. Going to make set up go a little slower.

Re: Richmond Pro gear alert heads-up...
 

My predictions are there are going to be a lot of "free" sets of gears flying out of Richmond shortly...major mistake...heads will roll.

Re: Richmond Pro gear alert heads-up...
 

Richmond was bought out by Motive at least a year ago and manufacturing was moved over seas.

Re: Richmond Pro gear alert heads-up...
 

The "Italian" stock just recently made it's debut...evidenced by the recent unavailability of gears through major vendors. ;)

Re: Richmond Pro gear alert heads-up...
 

A few years ago I ran into the same problem with Richmond Pro gears, their gear cutting machine was setup wrong and I could not get the gear pattern anywhere right but
ran them one time. Called Richmond and talked with their engineer and he would send another set to Jeg's. Their pattern was dead on where it was supposed to be and are still running good some years later, I have the equipment and always do my own Ring and Pinion gears setup. Sorry to hear Richmond went offshore. BUMMER

Re: Richmond Pro gear alert heads-up...
 

Can figure pinion depth using master housing dimension.
Measure pinion head thickness -(where bearing sets against pinion to back of pinion,same place you check center distance from) then subtract pinion head thickness from master housing dimension,that will give pinion depth checking distance.
Can't remember 12 bolt master dimension off top of my head,but you can find easy on line or richmond tech line etc.
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Richmond Pro gear alert heads-up...
 

Getting tired of these moves and out-sourcing....HEY Motive....bring gear production
back to the USA!....WANT a "made in USA" product...in my Chevrolet race car!

American JOBS at stake!

Re: Richmond Pro gear alert heads-up...
 

For the vast majority of OE 12 bolt housings, start with a 0.035" shim on the pinion. Odds are, you'll be within 0.005" of where you need to be. If you're taking a similar gear out, use the shim from the previous pinion, and you'll be within spitting distance.

The numbers they give you are the opinions of the guy running the Gleason machine they test the gears on. What matters is the pattern.

And yeah, unfortunately, Richmond hasn't been great lately, and Motive buying them is quite unlikely to improve that.

Re: Richmond Pro gear alert heads-up...
 

A rear pinion bearing honed out to a slip fit would be handy for finding the correct pattern. I've heard of them. I've never seen one.