I've been hunting around to see what kind of prices I can dig up for new 3rd members. I called up the folks at ring-pinion.com and asked about it, and they said the only case for which my desired 3.21 ratio gears are made for is the 489, otherwise if I wanted to stick to a 741 as originally came I will have to use a diff ratio (not sure but I believe he said only 3.55 and up is available for 741). A 489 case, with everything else inside it new is $788, or $980 with an auburn gear posi unit.

A local shop quoted me $350 to rebuild my 741, with new spiders and bearings, just reusing my original ring/pinion, or a nother ~$150-200 for a new ring/pinion if I wanted to change ratios.

Do these prices sound reasonable? What are my other options, who sells complete ready to go 3rd members?

Those are pretty reasonable prices. Pick up a Mopar Action or HP Mopar mag - they have tons of ads for rearend supply/setup places. Popular Hot Rodding or Hot Rod would have many rear sources too, and most will do the 8.75" axle.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Hmm.. the unit looked clean on the insides, i pressure washed the whole thing to get all the gunk off of it. I'm tempted to lube it all up and just use it as is now that I see these prices.

If it ain't broke, just go with it!

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

I agree,
The 8 3/4 gear center sections are pretty reliable.
If all the gears and bearings are in good shape, just clean it and use it as is.
The only thing you may want to change is the front pinion seal.
DD

For a driver, that will never see the racetrack probably, how important is adding some sort of posi unit? I got another quote from a shop that told me they don't make new gears at all for a 741 case, 230 for just replacing the bearings and such using everything else from my parts, or 650 for bearings and a auburn gear posi unit with only my ring/pinion being reused. That guy claims to change ratios I'd have to get used ring/pinion, of which he can provide for about $100

The main advantages on the street are improved traction in slippery (rain, snow, gravel) conditions, and for best traction with a built motor (burnouts ). If you are OK with these things, then don't worry about it.

What is your trouble with your current rear? If it doesn't make noise, then just drive it. BTW, most of the time you can just put in new bearings and reuse the ring/pinion unless they whine or grind. I have a 3.23 741 case with SG that I had rebuilt about 60k ago with the OE gears. It has at least 250k total on the gears and they are fine.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

In a few weeks I'll have all the parts I need and will be ready to install the 8 3/4". What should I do with the lil ol 7 1/4? It was suggested before I do the swap, drain the oil out of it and see how long it will last