[V8Vairs] Response to Kelmark Conversion ?

[Rick & Janet Norris]

One of the reasons for diff gear problems is the lack of lubrication. The 
stock setup slings oil at the front pinion bearing. There is a small baffle 
on the bottom of the tin cover to keep it from slinging oil out the vent 
cap. If you run the gear backwards it doesn't oil things properly. The best 
I've seen is Norbert Voll's fix by using an electric powered pump for the 
diff. Also the length of the clutch shaft makes it twist easily with the 
torque of a small block. There were  some special units made that are 
stronger but I don't know who may have one. If you look at the way the 
hypoid gears are designed all the strength is in one direction. Run it 
backwards and it will not last long. There are still some reverse cut gears 
available every so often but I don't think anyone is making them now.

Rick Norris
First President CORSA 1971
Email rickjanet at charter.net
Web Site http://webpages.charter.net/corvairalley
V8 Vairs Web Site http://www.v8vairs.com

> We have heard that running off the backside of the gear is "bad" and there
> is general consensus that the ring rear and/or pinion wears rapidly. Why 
> is
> this?
> Could a stock ring gear (and Pinion?) be re-machined - the backside of the
> gear - to put the proper bevel or whatever plus hardening to alleviate the
> failure mode that has been observed? I have not seen any solution proposed
> other than to have new gears made.
>
> Chuck s