stupid question

[1980c10]

as far as gears go i dont really wanna go posi as it rains way to much here and its a daly driver and way to menny trees along the road
i dont mind limited slip though... how would i find out my gearing and axle code ?

A posi is a limited slip, (posi) is actually chevys limited slip rear, (trak loc) is fords and IDK what the hell mopar calls theres. They all do the same thing though. Regardless what does a limited slip rear end have to do with driving in the rain? It will only improve your traction not hinder it. A car with a limited slip rear is also much more predictable in a traction loss situation than an open rear end is.

To check your factory rear end package open up the drivers door and look at the tag on the door jamb there should be an area with the letters AX what ever is under that is your axle code. Then decode it with this

Axle codes
Open/Lock/Ratio #
-----------------------
G / H / 2.26
B / C / 2.47
8 / M / 2.73
7 / - / 3.07
Y / Z / 3.08
4 / D / 3.42
F / R / 3.45
5 / E / 3.27
6 / W / 3.73
2 / K / 3.55
A / - / 3.63
J / - / 3.85

The valve rattle you are speaking of may be the lopo piston slap. If your car is cfi it could also be spark knock, as the cfi cars had to run less timing than the multiport cars.

[91waggin]

the valves rattle like they need to be tightened.. they sound loose and as far as gears go i dont really wanna go posi as it rains way to much here and its a daly driver and way to menny trees along the road
i dont mind limited slip though... how would i find out my gearing and axle code ?

posi=positrac=brand name for limited slip differential (I think GM's). Ford calls it a Trac-lok. Anyway, it is a limited slip differential and you want it if it rains.

Axle code is on the door tag under "ax." then look up GoodSamaritan's signature to find out what the code means.

[87_crown_vic]

my last 1987 Grand Marquis had one axle code on door but noticed it was changed at dealer according to paperwork with the car. it had a 3.08 open and swapped to a 3.27 trac-lok... the rear stamped plate on diff cover bolt showed it was changed too

[Mercracer]

Regardless what does a limited slip rear end have to do with driving in the rain? It will only improve your traction not hinder it. A car with a limited slip rear is also much more predictable in a traction loss situation than an open rear end is.

If you are heavy on the throttle going around corners or on water or ice/snow you can get into trouble much quicker with a "limited slip" rear end and even more so with a locker. When both wheels are spinning, you have no control. People think it is all fun and games until their rear end comes around and they are heading into another vehicle or off of the road.
If you keep you head on straight, you will maintain traction better in diverse conditions with a "limited slip" rear end than an open one.

[1980c10]

Well I assumed it was common sense, but lol. I find that a car with a limited slip sliding sideways is my easier to control vs. An open rear jumping back and forth between wheels. I have even daily drove a car with a spool "only for about a month" cause it saw toothed the tires so bad, but I never had a problem with it. Just use some common sense when driving and you will be fine.

[gadget73]

The valves are not adjustable, and unless the lifters have collapsed, they are not likely to be rattling. Probably has a rod knock or something.


As for general driving, unless you drive like a retard, you're not really going to have problems with a limited slip in the rain on a station wagon with a non-HO motor. If you drive around with smooth tires and mat the pedal at every turn, then yes you will have issues.

[85merc]

my axle was a "y" if im reding it right that decodes in to a open 3.08, i never played around with axel ratio wich is a ,ok ratio.?

[91waggin]

Rules for posting on Grandmarq.net:
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In answer to your question, axle ratios work like any other gear. The number (2.73, 3.08, 3.55) is the number of rotations the engine must spin in order to spin the drive wheels one rotation. In other words, if you have a 3.55 rear end, the engine must spin the driveshaft slightly more than 3 and a half times to get a full revolution out of the rear wheels.

[Mercracer]

In answer to your question, axle ratios work like any other gear. The number (2.73, 3.08, 3.55) is the number of rotations the engine must spin in order to spin the drive wheels one rotation. In other words, if you have a 3.55 rear end, the engine must spin the driveshaft slightly more than 3 and a half times to get a full revolution out of the rear wheels.

Independent of the number of crankshaft revolutions, the driveshaft must revolve 3.55 times in order to rotate the axles 1 revolution for a 3.55:1 axle ratio. Your transmission provides further gear reduction or overdrive of engine rpms. In the case of a torque converter equipped transmission, an uncoupled converter allows a greater than 1:1 ratio of crankshaft revolutions to transmission input shaft revolutions unless the converter is locked up and providing 100% power directly to the input shaft. An AOD converter locks up in 3rd gear but there is a split torque path within the transmission. There is not a direct drive from the engine to the input shaft until OD.

[91waggin]

Lol thanks for the clarification. I knew what I meant, but what I said didn't end up being what I meant. I was tired.