Is my rear end too shotty?

[funkytechmonkey]

That title is funny I dont care who you are....

I am in no way technical so please excuse my termonology I have no idea what these technical terms are.

I bought a '69 - 12 bolt rearend with 373 gears off craigslist and think I may have made a bad purchase. I opened up it up AFTER purchasing it ($100) and found that it has not had any lub in it for MANY years. The gears were all rusted up and stuck together and inside the bell housing and down the axel tubes are rusted up too. I took it to a local radiator repair shop to have them "Dip" it. $60 later I find the gears are pitted and inside the housing is still a rusty color and there is some grim still in the housing and down the axel tubes.

I then took it to my sandblasting guy and he said he should be able to clean it up pretty good but he has to be really careful where the bearings go. He said he can mask that off.

Is this safe? Would I have any problems in the future is I go this route?

I plan on buying new gears, I have already purchased an axel rebuilt kit since I was installing a posi, which is already purchased. Id like to use this housing just not sure if its salvageable.

Any imput would be greatly appreciated!!

[Altec]

How much is it going to cost to sand blast? I'd be tempted just to try and find another axle with the gears I want already in it. For the price of new gears, plus whatever the cost to have the housing you have now put into fighting shape it seems like more trouble then it is worth.

All comes down to how available 12-bolts are in your state, and the cost of rebuilding what you have.

[MONTEZ]

Nm.... I misunderstood tour post.

[funkytechmonkey]

He is going to blast the inside and out and powdercoat the outside for $80.

I havent seen many around here for sale and when they do pop up for sale they are gone quick. I put a post on craigslist that I was looking for one and this guy called me... So I got kinda lucky to find it. I called back and talked to the owner of the radiator shop and he is going to refund me the cash for the dip. So that is good.

So this is what I will have into the axel.

$100 cost
$ 80 Blast and powdercoat
$180 New Gears
$290 New 5 lug axels
$580 Posi and rebuild kit.

Thats a total of $1280 for a rearend that will be perfect and pretty much brand new everything... Is that good or bad?

[Tmend]

That's not bad. Lots of people would rather just buy a new one. I say ur good were ur at. Go forth with the blast and powder coat u already bought the rest at least this way u know what u have and know ur not taking any short cuts.. Besides who's t say the next tw rear end u buy are trash. $240 spent on the rear end and now have a very clean in and out housing not bad.
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[funkytechmonkey]

Cool.... that makes me feel better. Thanks!!

[Shane]

after looking at your build post I have to ask ... why did you buy a '69 rear end?

'69 is 6 lug and a different width versus your existing '71 which is a 5 lug rear ... what am I missing here?

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by Shane

after looking at your build post I have to ask ... why did you buy a '69 rear end?

'69 is 6 lug and a different width versus your existing '71 which is a 5 lug rear ... what am I missing here?

Because it's narrower? At least that's why I swapped mine, it helped me gain 3/4" clearance on each side.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by funkytechmonkey

......
$100 cost
$ 80 Blast and powdercoat
$180 New Gears
$290 New 5 lug axels
$580 Posi and rebuild kit.

Thats a total of $1280 for a rearend that will be perfect and pretty much brand new everything... Is that good or bad?

Thats not bad pricing, but I don't see any cost for labor. You need to factor in the cost of a professional setting your gears and posi up.

[funkytechmonkey]

Originally Posted by Shane

after looking at your build post I have to ask ... why did you buy a '69 rear end?

'69 is 6 lug and a different width versus your existing '71 which is a 5 lug rear ... what am I missing here?

Really 2 reasons... The first is because I wanted to use the porterbuilt stage 2 kit with forward controls, my 71 is a leaf spring setup. The second reason is like Hart_Rod said because it's narrower. I can use a wider tire.

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Thats not bad pricing, but I don't see any cost for labor. You need to factor in the cost of a professional setting your gears and posi up.

That's because my good friend is a mechanic and is doing it for free


I will keep you guys posted in the housing and take lots of pics after they clean it up.
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[Shane]

Makes perfect sense ... I didn't realize it was leaf. good luck on the build!

[N2TRUX]

Cheap is good, but free is better. Sounds like you have a plan going.

[funkytechmonkey]

Here is a few pics of the housing and gears.

[N2TRUX]

Those don't look too bad, but I would be concerned that they might wear prematurely. You are replacing the gear set any aren't you?

[funkytechmonkey]

Yea... I have already ordered new ones. Could someone here use the old ones?