The pinion nut was missing from the rearend under my 62 Signet and the yoke worked its way off. This caused the rear to lock up so that i could not roll the car back and forth. Having a bout 4 other 7.25 rears laying around I decided to take the nut and washer off of one of them to remedy the rollability deficiency. To my chagrin I found that the nut that and washer that I took from another 7.25 differential would not fit on this one. It happens that one of the rear axles I have is from about a 74 Duster with large bolt pattern; the nut and washer from that diff fit fine and is 1/8" larger that the earlier one. I'm suspicious that the rear end in the Valiant has been changed out for a later model. The real question is this: The rear that I first robbed of its nut and washer is the one with a sure-grip in it. Will that sure grip accept the later gears and will it fit into the later housing?

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

I just went through the same thing ....pinion nut off and locked diff.

I put 65 gears in a 74 7.25 with no difficulty.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Well that's encouraging. Thanks for the quick answer.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.