64 wildcat rear end help

Hi everyone!

My 64 wildcat (401 nailhead, auto) just blew the planetary crosspin and it messed up all the gears inside. Now im trying to order some new parts and im confused as hell.

The diff is the kind that opens on the pinion side and the whole unit comes out as one, much like a ford 9 inch. The only part number i could get is a 1365221 43-14 GMC on the ring gear. I googled it and was even more confused after that. There is several questions that i have:

- is buick 9.3 and 9 3/8 the same thing?

- if yes, is this the same rear end as the pontiac/olds 9.3?

- where can i get parts for it?

- which years interchange?


I hope i can find someone here that can help me clear this confusion.

THANKS!

 

9.3 is not the same as 9.3

9.3 Buick is not the same as 9.3 Pontiac Olds.

Totally different beasts

Buick 9.3 is based off Cadillac drop out and both these third members use a PINCH bolt system to keep the carrier retaining in the case.
- This is NOT the strongest way to hold the power stable.
- casting in the pinch bolt area has to be thin enough to get the casting to squeeze around the bearing retaining shaft. This holds the carrier bearing on a stem and is tapered on the end which suspends the carrier with the race pressed into the carrier. TOTALLY backwards of what we all know about rear differential bearing caps and carriers.

The 9.3 Pontiac and Olds share the third members between each other and have been from 1957 1964 and other integral rears on into 1976
-O/P rears are MUCH more stout with a cap and 2 bolt system securing a stable anchor to the housing.
- carrier will have the bearing pressed on to hub stem cast and machined off the carrier unit
- races are held in the bearing caps area and spanners threaded into the main caps squeeze the carrier and keep it stable and allow a precise orientation of backlash need for high performance
- All rear differentials to this day are held in with the 2 bolt one bearing cap system
- only in big trucks are the spanner system still used given way to steel or cast shim for adjusting backlash in the carrier... making for a more cost effective manufacturing process.

The third member casting bolt circle is totally different from P/O to Buick so the third members can not be swapped into each other plus the spline count is different from them also Buick 30 to P/O 31

Jim
JD

 

Gearhead, I have a 3.08 open rear from a 65 Wildcat that should bolt in if you are interested.
Ted

 

can anyone confirmthat this is infact the buick 9.3 rear? the gasket measures 13.2 inches across the widest part. Ring gear diameter is 9.25 inches (im guessing 9.3, right?).

specialwagon65: PM sent

thank you all!

 

That is the early 9.3 drop out 3.07 gear open non posi rear. Looks likw 30 spline so that would be 63 64 65 years. DID you measure the back side of the gear or furthest tooth to furthest out side tooth. Widest point of diameter

 

These don't fail too often, but when they do you'll finds that parts availability is a problem. I'd just buy the 'chunk'-good luck

 

that would make sense as it came from a 64 wildcat.

i measured from the furthest tooth to the furthest outside tooth.

it was making strange noises for at least a year before this happened. its completely toast now, though.

 

yEP - HAS TO BE ONE OF THE biggest PROBLEMS... eVERYONE THINKS WELL IT IS A LITTLE NOISE i WILL WAIT. MEAN WHILE DESTRUCTION IS GOING ON IRREVERSIBLE DESTRUCTION! aUH sorry about the caps

Jim

 

Hey all!
I’m no mechanic just build cars for fun. I currently have a 64 Buick lesabre 2 dr sport with 9 3/8 rear end. Let me start by saying I found an affordable company who builds limited slips for these rear ends custom. I am ordering one, they need some specific measurements from my rear end and I have pulled it but don’t think I can take it apart to get measurements. Any chance one of y’all can help me out? I’ll post the sheet they want and photos! They are called traction concepts if you want to look them up!

 

Interesting thread. I just picked up a '64 Electra 3.08 Posi in good condition. Doing a gasket refresh and found that the axle ends are basically Cadillac based on the end gaskets. Don't know about the bearings, etc but mine seem to be OK. Just some info. The discovery is driving me nuts. Any thoughts>

 

I'll take a look at my 66 caddy but IIRC the ratios were a little different- 2.94:1 or 3.21:1. I would assume many other differences from that.
The 66 Cadillac did use a switch pitch transmission like Buick.

 

Gearhead, I swapped my 64 Wildcat's open rear carrier for a posi years ago. I think I still have the open carrier and gears. If I do and you need them I'll let you have them for the cost of shipping.

 

Gearhead long gone - that was 2015 when he was looking.