1954 Differential Spider & Side Gears
Does anyone know where I can find a new set of spider and side gears? I'm told the 53-55 corvette gears are the same as the 49-54 chevy passenger car gears; except for the ring and pinion. Good thing my ring and pinion are in good shape. I just have one spider gear that has a defect (large burr) and I'm told to replace them in a complete set. I've found a relatively good used set but I'm not certain they are matched, thus the reason to buy a new set.Thanks in advance for any assistance.
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Re: 1954 Differential Spider & Side Gears
Eric------
No problem. Tom's Differentials has what you need. They can supply the complete set of USA-manufactured gears along with the related shaft and small parts. www.tomsdifferentials.com
Tom's is a long-time supplier of differential parts----a very good, "go-to" supplier.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: 1954 Differential Spider & Side Gears
Yes, they are the same as 49-54 pass car. ACTUALLY, almost everything in the 53-55 Vette and 49-54 pass car rears is the same including axles, except the R&P gears (plus, Vettes have a pinion seal). But for replacement axles, stay with the 51-54 pass car axles (49-50 axles have a larger pilot). Brake backing plates are also the same.
And NO, you don't need to replace the spider/axle gears as a matched set (although, the "experts" wil insist on it)l!!!! GOOD, used gears will work just fine.Comment
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Re: 1954 Differential Spider & Side Gears
I called Toms and spoke to Tom. He said they don't have anything older than 56 parts for the corvette. He also told me its more important the gears need to be installed on the same side if they were removed (left on left, right on right)than they be a matched set. That leads me to believe the best route is to find a NOS set or minimally a matched set marked right and left. So far I've been lucky enough to find 2 new side gears.
Thanks to each of you for your input.Comment
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Re: 1954 Differential Spider & Side Gears
Mary Jo has a set of gears
Also check with Carol at Grossmuellers.1954 Corvette #3803 - Top Flight 2012, Bloomington Gold 2012,
Triple Diamond Award 2012, Gold Concourse Award 2012, Regional and National Top Flight 2014
1954 Corvette #3666 - "The Blue Devil" - Pennant Blue - restoration started
1957 Corvette - FI 3 sp - Black and SilverComment
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Re: 1954 Differential Spider & Side Gears
Eric-------
The 1953-55 Corvette pinion spider gears are the same as 46-69 passenger and 56-69 Corvette without positraction. So, if Tom has them for 1956+ Corvettes, he has them for 53-55.
The 53-55 Corvette side spider gears are the same as 46-54 passenger car. So, if Tom has them for 46-54 passenger car, he has them for 1953-55 Corvette.
Maybe he doesn't know this, but that's the way it is.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1954 Differential Spider & Side Gears
Joe,Tom seemed to be aware of this. I listed 56 but he said 55 and later, referring only to positraction parts. He's not the only major differential supplier that doesn't carry parts for the older chevs and corvettes; each one I called gave me the same story. Apparently nobody makes new parts for these applications and the reputable distributors won't deal in used parts. I offered to buy the used parts and provided them to several shops and they all declined to rebuild the differential for me. Oh well, the times are changing and so I'll gather the parts as I can and will rebuild it myself. Thanks for your input.Comment
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Re: 1954 Differential Spider & Side Gears
I was able to find NOS spider and differential gears on eBay from different sources; all of them were in factory boxes. Interesting how many people in the rear end business don't know much about the old stuff. They rely on catalogs that are rarely accurate in this area. Good thing I have all you guys around for such great knowledge. Now I just need to find a 54 Powerglide in rebuildable condition; I just discovered the one I have has 53 markings. Thanks to each of you for your assistance!Comment
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