Since the word is already out I figured I would let those who don't know Tom Watt - his business was Tom's Differentials, passed way last week at age 67.
I knew Tom for years and while many thought he was a bit grumpy I knew a different side. He was a down to earth guy who worked hard his life and built up a fine business after buying out Pepe's in So Ca 43 years ago.
He was not a Corvette guy per say, certainly not a NCRS restorer, but was a car guy. So how does this affect the current corvette owner? He supplied the only USA made Ring & Pinions left on the market. He had them made by US Gear and they were/are the best made you can get. Vendors bought them and reboxed them. For instance, a 373 ratio for a vette 10 bolt was never offered by the factory, it was a 370 ratio. Tom had them made 373 with more teeth and were a stronger set. Today if you buy a 370 ratio you are getting imported gears. He developed the 12 bolt conversion well beyond what Pepe or Henrys offered. His 31 spline outer axles are the best out there for a trailing arm. Many of you know this already but I am sure there are some who do not.
Tom had tried to sell his business the past 3 years but couldn't. That wasn't my business but he worked up until he couldn't do it and that's a shame. He had talked about driving across country and stopping in to see me but that never happened.
My suggestion to anyone out there who may want to rebuild their 63-79 vette diff is to buy the parts while you still can. The last I spoke with Tom he told me US Gear was going to 2 cut gears and abandoning the 5 cut that was always used in GM performance diff's. His wife is selling off what she can but it looks like the end of the line. I have seen some new entrants in the HP diff game now, converting 9" setups which are pretty slick but at about $10k what market will it hold and for how long?
Like it or not times are changing, the new guard is nothing like the old. Joe L was wise to stock up on parts all these years.
RIP old friend.
I knew Tom for years and while many thought he was a bit grumpy I knew a different side. He was a down to earth guy who worked hard his life and built up a fine business after buying out Pepe's in So Ca 43 years ago.
He was not a Corvette guy per say, certainly not a NCRS restorer, but was a car guy. So how does this affect the current corvette owner? He supplied the only USA made Ring & Pinions left on the market. He had them made by US Gear and they were/are the best made you can get. Vendors bought them and reboxed them. For instance, a 373 ratio for a vette 10 bolt was never offered by the factory, it was a 370 ratio. Tom had them made 373 with more teeth and were a stronger set. Today if you buy a 370 ratio you are getting imported gears. He developed the 12 bolt conversion well beyond what Pepe or Henrys offered. His 31 spline outer axles are the best out there for a trailing arm. Many of you know this already but I am sure there are some who do not.
Tom had tried to sell his business the past 3 years but couldn't. That wasn't my business but he worked up until he couldn't do it and that's a shame. He had talked about driving across country and stopping in to see me but that never happened.
My suggestion to anyone out there who may want to rebuild their 63-79 vette diff is to buy the parts while you still can. The last I spoke with Tom he told me US Gear was going to 2 cut gears and abandoning the 5 cut that was always used in GM performance diff's. His wife is selling off what she can but it looks like the end of the line. I have seen some new entrants in the HP diff game now, converting 9" setups which are pretty slick but at about $10k what market will it hold and for how long?
Like it or not times are changing, the new guard is nothing like the old. Joe L was wise to stock up on parts all these years.
RIP old friend.
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