C-1 Differential Fit (?)

[Tom Spurgeon]

Does anyone know if 1958 through 1962 differentials are interchangeable? Any help is appreciated...Thanks in advance.
Tom

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C-1 Differential Fit (?)

Yes, as well as passenger car differentials.

[mikemccagh]

Re: C-1 Differential Fit (?)

56 to 62 corvettes and 55 to 64 chevy pass cars differentials will interchange. mike

[Gary Chesnut]

Re: C-1 Differential Fit (?)

There is a difference between a series 3 (3.70) and series 4 (4.11 & 4.56) pumpkins, but don't remember what. Gary#5895

[Allen W.]

Re: C-1 Differential Fit (?)

This thread brings up a question I have had for a while. Is there an interchange manual that one can purchase that list interchanges between Corvettes and GM passenger cars?
Allen

[Richard E.]

Re: C-1 Differential Fit (?)

ALAN - There is one that I use occasionally - "I Need a Part For My Classic Corvette". It is available from the NCRS bookstore. But the best source of all is this board and the guys who have been there and done that. Regards...Dick

[Terry D.]

Re: C-1 Differential Fit (?)

The series three and series four has to do with carrier not the pumpkin. The series four is for 4:11 gears and higher, the three series is fot 3:70 and lower. At least that's the way I understand it. Any gear ratio will fit in any pumpkin, assuming by pumpkin you mean just the outer housing that the driveshaft/pinion shaft combo fits in.

Terry

[Gary Chesnut]

Re: C-1 Differential Fit (?)

Pumpkin is the center unit with ring and pinion gear and banjo is the axle housing.

[Terry D.]

Re: C-1 Differential Fit (?)

I guess it's like anything else. different things are called different names in different parts of the country.

Terry

[Tom P.]

Re: C-1 Differential Fit (?)

GENERALLY speaking, the pumpkin is the name given to the removeable center section. This is the part which contains the differential case and gears. The OUTER part (which is what you see) is the case, and the inner part (which is what the ring gear is bolted to) is the carrier (because it carries the ring gear and all the internal gears/parts). There are 2 types of carriers: posi and non-posi. Then, amoung the 2 different carriers, there are 2 more types: 4 series (for 4.11 to 5.38 ratios) and 3 series (for 3.08 to 3.70). AND THEN, in the posi carriers, there is an early (57-59, has 8 clutch plates) and a late (60-64, has 10 clutch plates). In the outer cases, there is the 55-6 and the 57-64 style (the 57-64 is thicker/stronger). The ORIGINAL 55-6 ring gears are thinner/weaker than the 57-64 ring gears. But, when assembled, the 56-62 Vette and 55-64 passenger rears are a 100% bolt-in swap. So, if you are NOT a matching numbers person, and are looking for a posi rear for your 56 Vette, then a posi rear from a 60-64 passenger car is just the ticket. Or, if you want to retain your original 56 rearend case, but want to convert it to posi, without any visible evidence, just locate a 60-64 posi rear and transfer all the gears and posi guts into your 56 case.