10 bolt 8.5 Re-build

[1981zapper]

I'm looking to rebuild my 10 bolt 8.5 and beef it up in the process;

here is a list of parts that I currently have for this build;
- Moser 30 spline axles with 1/2 wheel studs
- Eaton Posi 30 spline Performance Differential 19559-010

The tubes on the differential housing will be welded right around

I'm still not sure which gear ratio to run, it will either a 3.42 or 3.73, right now I have a turbo 350 with 3.73 and on the freeway my RPMS are too high but long term I will be putting a 200r4 or 700r4 overdrive

Parts still need to buy;
- Ring and Pinion (looking at buying a Richmond set as its made in Italy)
- Ratech Pinion Bearing Spacer 4109 (Crush collar Eliminator kit)
- Pinion Yoke & seal
- Ring gear bolts
- Pinion Bearing
- Axle Bearings & seals
- Carrier bearings & shims
- OER Differential Vents 15771000

If I was building a Stock differential I could just buy a master rebuilding kit but since, I'm going with beefier axles and carrier most of the stuff in the kit won't work,

any suggestions for the following parts I need

Thanks

 

[CaliCamaro75]

Might wanna reach out to member " big gear head" . He's known around here as the rear end guru!!

 

[Zspoiler]

So what are you going to do with the car? For most street application I would run the Turbo 350 /3:42 gears with a 26 inch or taller tire. Its a good overall gear ratio, I have a 1979 Z-28 that was originally a Turbo 350 /3:42 gears . Even though I change it over to a Super T-10 .I kept the 3:42 gears Because of the performance /gas mileage factor.

 

[big gear head]

The axle bearings and seals will be the same as the originals. The installation kit you need is the HD kit. It has the larger bearings for the Eaton Posi. No need to buy individual parts for what you are building.

When you have the axle tubes welded be sure to use nickel. The center is cast iron and must be welded as cast iron.

 

[1981zapper]

The axle bearings and seals will be the same as the originals. The installation kit you need is the HD kit. It has the larger bearings for the Eaton Posi. No need to buy individual parts for what you are building.

When you have the axle tubes welded be sure to use nickel. The center is cast iron and must be welded as cast iron.

Thanks for the reply, what installation kit would you recommend part #? lots of kits that I've been seeing include the incorrect ring gear bolts,

also what yoke would you recommend. I'm staying with the factory metric u-joints

 

[big gear head]

The Yukon kits are some of the best, but sometimes they have the bolts with 3/4 inch heads and sometimes they have bolts with 5/8 heads. I guess it depends on who they are buying them from at the time. The USA Standard kits are the same as the Yukon kits except they have Koyo bearings. If Tom's Differentials is still selling kits they have the best ones. I don't know how that business is going right now. Most of the 8.5 kits with the larger bearings for the Eaton Posi will have HD at the end of the part number.

 

[1981zapper]

The Yukon kits are some of the best, but sometimes they have the bolts with 3/4 inch heads and sometimes they have bolts with 5/8 heads. I guess it depends on who they are buying them from at the time. The USA Standard kits are the same as the Yukon kits except they have Koyo bearings. If Tom's Differentials is still selling kits they have the best ones. I don't know how that business is going right now. Most of the 8.5 kits with the larger bearings for the Eaton Posi will have HD at the end of the part number.

I found the Master rebuilding kit;

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/yga-14088/overview/

since the kit does include, axle bearings and seals, what brand do you like to use? any USA bearings out there?

 

[badazz81z28]

Have you looked into a Moser 12 bolt or 9". I threw the kitchen sink at my 10 bolt and even though it was strong and nice...It wasn't that cost effective.

 

[SPG]

Have you looked into a Moser 12 bolt or 9". I threw the kitchen sink at my 10 bolt and even though it was strong and nice...It wasn't that cost effective.

if you are able to do it yourself, rebuilding the 10 bolt saves you about 1-2k from my research
if you have to pay anyone else during the process the savings disappear entirely

 

[badazz81z28]

Yeah, its very dependent on what you can do and what you already have on hand. Setting up some gears can cost you $350. Welding the axle tubes cost me a couple hundred or so and if you want Torino ends, thats more $$$. Add in new axles, posi, gears, rebuild kit...That's over a grand. I set up the gears myself and paid for the welding. I want to say it was close to $1800 when I was done ( I also bought a ~$350 Moser cover). Add more money if you want to powder coat it. That didn't include some of the tools I bought like the torque wrench and the beam wrench. Is it worth the time and effort? Spend maybe another $800 or so for a BRAND NEW rear with ALL new parts to include the housing (no axle tube pits etc.) and perfected PC. Professionally and correctly welded tubes, ends, warranty etc.

My personal experience...I wish I opted for the 12 bolt over the rebuilt 10 bolt.