How to identify 7.5" rear from the outside?

VadersV6

Active Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2004
When I bought my car, I was going to have the stock gears put in right away. Then the mechanic said the rear was a 7.5 and the gears I had wouldnt work. before I take his word for it 100%, I'd like to check for myself. It has posi and has apparantly held up to some abuse in the past.
 
8.5"

I was told that when you look at the 8.5" from the back the housing is squared off on the lower left and right sides. So you will see the normal cover for the 10 bolt but on a 7.5" you will just see where the cover bolts to the housing, on the 8.5" there will be an extra squared off part on both sides. Is this making scene? A 7.5" will look like this form the back: (_) where as an 8.5" will look more like this: [_]. Does that help? The 8.5" will have extra "ears" on the bottom. -Gabe
 
Also, in this pic, my diff cover is not the one for a 7.5. The only one that resembles it is the 8.2 and 8.5 rear pic.


gmdanadiffgaskets.jpg
 
hum

The first page you posted had the gaskets at the bottom; I didn't know the 7.2" was the same as the 8.5". I know they measure the covers really weird. I've had this problem before. Do you have a local auto parts store that may have both gaskets on the shelf? Maybe looking at the gaskets in person would help. Also you could look for numbers on the rear end. I believe they were on the axle housing, driver’s side if I remember correctly, check both sides. If you find some numbers you could call the dealer and give them what you find, they should be able to help you. A different choice would be to call Randy's ring and pinion here on the west cost, they should be open and could probably help you figure it out. Hope this help... -Gabe
 
the 8.5 GM rear has a round cover

the 7.5 GM has rounded sides but flattens out at the top and bottom (looks as if it was squished down )
 
look for a stamped # on the axel housing not shure what side but it is on the side facing to the front of the car(do some scraping). 3tp means 3.42 8.5 posi.
 
Brent,

I have an '83 Malbu wagon with a 350 SBC & 7.5" rear end, and my GN has its original 8.5". If you send me a pic of what's under your car I can compare and tell you. One thing's for sure: the 7.5" looks a bit less "beefy".

EDIT: Never mind, I pulled your email from your profile and sent you two pics.

HTH,
Morgan
 
If it is the 8.5, then you probably need a new mechanic. What gears are you changing to/from by the way?
 
Thanks guys. Morgan- you have mail. My drive to work is going to be a lot farther now, so I need the right gears really bad now. I figured Id just have Lou C throw in the right rear for me with the right gears. I have 4.11's now and am going to a stock GN rear with 3.42's.
 
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