My 79 Marquis

[Arquemann]

Looks like the pipe is bent down way more vs how the one on my engine was.
I highly doubt you'll be able to install bolts in the back of the heads with them in the car.

This is a simple and free way to delete the pipe:
https://www.corral.net/threads/smog-...plugs.2516434/
The pipe in boxes is a bit different shape, but idea is the same. I did it myself previously when converting to a carb.

Now that I have had the engine out and apart, I installed bolts into the holes in the heads. I took a metal bottle brush and honed the everloving piss out of the holes to be able to thread the bolts in. That's why I'd not recommend doing it in the car. It's all caked up with carbon.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

I’ve done the 5/8”-11 bolt in the cylinder head like suggested prior. Bit of an odd size, but I’ve found them at hardware stores. Works quite well.

I do recall running a tap through those holes to get all the carbon out of the port.

[sly]

I cut the crossover pipe off the mounted ends and flipped them over and used copper RTV to seal those things up. Was still holding fine when I sold the car several years later.

[Grand1]

Something I will need to do, the list doesn't end.lol.

Back on suspension. Changing the rear springs...they seemed abnormally shifty when I took the RA special shocks off (KYB Gas Ajust going on). New spring is Lesjofors coil spring 4427508 (have no idea, it was $60 delivered cause I had a credit).

Pic one is how the lower spring tail is mointed. Pic two is passenger side.

Pic one has the end tail closest to me, Pic two is the same position but farther away since on the on the passenger side. Any tips appreciated, just don't want it ta squeak....assuming one would need another hand to crowbar the axle down to slip in da spring. And mount exactly like the below.

[sly]

Yeah... crowbar to pry it. Just pull from a position not in-line with the pull itself just in case something goes wrong and it jumps off.

[Grand1]

Shocks and springs in.

Changing the dif fluid and gasket. Very clean no shavings or gunk. Assuming 80-90 fluid

Interesting:

1. Axle code is WGY-D
2. Both in my shop manual and the below cite it's an 8.5 with 2.26.
3. 8.5 gasket doesn't fit
4. Looks like it is an 8.8?

[Arquemann]

I'm guessing that gasket you got is for the "wrong" 8.5" diff, the 79- 8.5" diff is probably a smaller ring gear in the 8.8 housing. Quick comparison by eye says that looks like an 8.8 and will probably fit an 8.8 gasket.
Also that massive pinion is kinda hilarious.

[Tiggie]

It's a 8.5 but the parts store might not know they exist. Order the 8.8 gasket.

Was wondering if you had a 7.5 when I read your post, but it's not. At one point, some reference source listed the 7.5 as a possibility for the early boxes but I have yet to see one.

[clutch47]

That pinion is pretty funny. Reminds me of the weird 2.29 pinion Chebroaly used in trucks with the 4 speed with granny low gear.