The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Patrick's 3:55 ring & pinion install

Finally got my all the parts to install the 3:55 ring & pinion in my 52 3100 3sp. Got it all installed with the help from the repair shop I use. Definitely notice a big difference in how it runs and happy with it so far only been a couple of days. Anyway I do notice a growling noise (almost like a down shifting noise) coming from the transmission when I let up on the gas. Other than that everything seems as it did before. Is that growling noise normal.

It might be worn gearbox bearings, did you replace them? If not, go ahead and do them, they you can listen.

Ed

Was that noise there before you did the rear?

If there was no noise before then keep this in mind. When you change the pinion and ring gear they have to be set correctly for gear wear pattern, pinion bearing pre load.

It has been a long time since I did any rear end work so my memory is poor. I wish my dad was still here for he was the man to set up a rear. Though when you hear a noise when you apply the gas and or get a noise when you let up the gas and coast indicates that the rear was not set up correctly. Jeffrey

** thrs50 ** Just curious when did you order the ring/pinion set from Patrick's? Patrick ran my credit card {without my authorization} June first for the set to the tune of $699.00. Have called several times to check on delivery. Each time the answer is two more weeks--two more weeks. Maybe there is hope after-all.

My gear set was done here in Town by Geared-UP....the process is highly technical and the tolerances are very tight. The owner and installer has been doing only this type of work for over 15 years. You need to break in the gear set for at least 100 miles. No faster than 45mph for no longer than 20 minutes. This allows the oil to cool. No racing around or speed shifting. I had everything replaced he just used the carrier and the axel tube. It's as smooth as silk and the oil will be changed at 500 miles. Ours is an open driveline so we went with 3:38.1 and the difference in drivability is incredible. I also asked for a specific gear manufacture to be used as some of these Chinese manufactured gears are just junk.

If you have a groan when you let off the gas that was not there before, it could mean the gears are not set up correctly. Do you have a photo of the gear tooth pattern?

I waited 11 months he's a nice guy but his business is a real cluster #@$#@

No my mechanic set it up and I did not see it.

If you paid someone then I would take it back and have them check it out.

Did you use an an installation kit like this one, or did they obtain the installation parts, especially new bearing sets?

My Suburban had an annoying "whine" when backing off on the gas, until I did the 3.55 conversion AND installed all those parts in the installation kit. My Suburban is now quiet enough to talk in a normal voice at 65 MPH (accelerating and "backing off" on the gas).

Yes that is exactly the kit I used. Took it out today for a 60 mi trip. Seems to be better. Cruised along at 60mph for at least an half an hour on the interstate.

Is there any difference in the installation kit Patrick sells and the one from classicparts.com shown above? I'm seeing $135 difference in price.

Which set is less expensive?

Check to confirm if the set is in stock - if Patrick's says "in stock", ask him/them not to charge you unless it is in stock. If you buy from Patrick's, and the set does not arrive in a few weeks, cancel the order and buy elsewhere.

Recently, people have posted having difficulties with Patrick's. He is often excellent; but, he is sometimes very unreliable.

As already stated, Patrick is a great guy. He is in his 70's and I have heard he takes orders for these kits but does not place the actual order until he has a minimum number of orders in the queue. If you place your order right after he has filled a bunch of orders, you could be waiting forever until he builds up the number of orders in the queue. If you place your order and are one of the last few people needed to meet his minimum you might get your parts very quickly. The biggest challenge now is I think this issue is starting to become common knowledge and most people are now looking for another source for their parts. This will even lengthen the turn around time because it takes him much longer to obtain the minimum number of orders. This is not all parts, just these rear end kits. I ordered an alternator bracket from him and had it in less than a week.

I got a set from toms diffs Idaho and them in Australia with in 4 days amazing and it was over Easter crown wheel and pinion set 3.38 made highway speed good

I have the R&P from Patrick but not the installation kit. The one on his site is listed for $299 and the one on the classicparts link above is $434. I was wondering if there was any difference in the parts that are included. I would assume/hope/pray that it wouldn't take so long for him to ship the installation kit...haha

P.S. It took at least 6 months to get my R&P kit. At the time I thought I was in a hurry to get it, but now 3 years later and I'm ready to install..go figure.

Try Jim Carter's a couple of months ago they had 2 installation kits in stock. They get them from Patrick's.

M.T. is working on putting the installation kit together.

He says that they are still sorting thru all the part numbers and insuring that there will be a sufficient supply to provide the individual parts in the kit for a long time.

Now we will all be able to purchase the ring & pinion kit and the installation kit {at the same time}
from a reliable vendor with an excellent track record.



http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...-ring-pinion-gears.923013/#post-11714059


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Perhaps some of you got the same email that I received a week of so ago from ?????? maybe Filling Station?.... the bottom line was that they were offering the 3.55 for $319 for a month.

Don't want to get your hopes up but I know I saw it. I didn't post here because I didn't want to high jack the thread and cast a shadow over Patricks.
Ya'll see the ad??????????

Filling Station is having a sale now.

Patricks' has turned out to be a major disappointment for me. I've now been waiting 3+ months for the 3:55 ring & pinion and install kit. Every time I call them they tell me they'll be calling me with ship info in 2-3 weeks. When I first ordered, the guy told me the stuff would be on it's way to me in 2-3 days.

** If you have only been waiting 3 months you more than likely have at least another three to wait. I have been waiting 6 months and still don't have any idea on a shipping date. Like I said in a previous post every time I call Patrick's I'm told 2 more weeks, two more weeks sounds like a broken record. Maybe some day??? **

There are better choices..........directly from the guy in Az..........and if the current gears are good reuse all the bearing. Then all you need is the shim selection and the bearing spacer tool ( that can be made from sheet metal).

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1955-1962-chevy-truck-3-55-1-highway-gears.1013373/

there are several sets on "the popular auction site", including a rusty NOS set. search on "3.55 ring pinion chevrolet" exact words. any order...

Patrick's certainly doesn't do themselves any good with this song and dance. I went thru the same thing several years ago and it seems the situation is still the same. They may offer better service on other parts but I will never deal with them again just because of my experience with the gears.

It took eleven months to get r&p from Patrick's. I love the how my truck runs with it but I will never buy anything from Patrick's again.