Pinion depth and shims...12 bolt question

[tj310]

I did 2 sets last week .030 .038. gave up on pinion depth setters years ago. ---Trevor PS it's not a 3 series gear going on a 4 series carrier?

[Glenn Briglio]

Originally Posted by tj310

I did 2 sets last week .030 .038. gave up on pinion depth setters years ago. ---Trevor PS it's not a 3 series gear going on a 4 series carrier?

+1 Pattern, pattern, pattern. That's what it's all about.

[Greg Reimer 7376]

Originally Posted by tj310

I did 2 sets last week .030 .038. gave up on pinion depth setters years ago. ---Trevor PS it's not a 3 series gear going on a 4 series carrier?

In my experiences of setting up rear ends,a 3 series gear set on either a 12 bolt or an 8 1/2" 10 bolt, an.030" pinion shim is usually about perfect. For a 4.11 to a 4.88,use either a.031-.032' shim, and with gears in the 5's or a 6.14, use a .033 shim The small pinions need to be set a little deeper in order to achieve a pattern centered on the ring gear. I probably have set up an honest 100 rear ends in my life.12 bolts are pretty consistant in what shim to use.

[Rusty Davenport]

thanks for all the replies, I'm trying to read the paint on the ring gear but that is a little more challenging than I anticipated. All the preloads are perfect, just the mesh torments me......may just put it together and run it !!!!!!!!!!!!! ahahahaahahahah

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Rusty Davenport

thanks for all the replies, I'm trying to read the paint on the ring gear but that is a little more challenging than I anticipated. All the preloads are perfect, just the mesh torments me......may just put it together and run it !!!!!!!!!!!!! ahahahaahahahah

Getting the pattern you want on a used set, especially without dimensions, can be difficult. Remember that the settings are the opinion of the guy who ran the Gleason machine on that set of gears. Also, you likely will not easily get the pattern you'd get on a set of Richmond race gears on that U.S. Gear set. It may be near impossible.

[Rusty Davenport]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

Getting the pattern you want on a used set, especially without dimensions, can be difficult. Remember that the settings are the opinion of the guy who ran the Gleason machine on that set of gears. Also, you likely will not easily get the pattern you'd get on a set of Richmond race gears on that U.S. Gear set. It may be near impossible.

That is really interesting....would anyone let me text the pictures of the pattern to them for an opinion ??? Phone number ???

[Dirk Olson]

Alan, is right you will never get a good pattern on a used set. You can shoot for the moon but be prepared to have a less than ideal pattern.

Dirk

[Alan Roehrich]

Rusty, just set up a free account at photobucket, and post your pics here. I really can't see pics on my phone well enough to see a pattern.

[john mazio]

I've done rears since '77. That is a ton of shim.I've never used more than .039" ever on a 12 bolt . In ' 85 alone I did 54 12 bolts just for the local speed shop near Englishtown Raceway Park ,Both street and race .You can send me pics at johnmazio.@gmail.com .I can see them on my phone too . I'll send one of my perfect patterns