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Topic: Dana...who's Dana?

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


Dana...who's Dana?

Posted: 9/18/07 6:31am Message 1 of 17
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San Antonio, TX - USA
Joined: 9/17/2007
Posts: 10
Vette(s): 82 Vette collector's edition - 350/700R4/Dana44 - Mostly stock, but looking to add more pep...
OK, first post, first problem.  I have an 82 edition that lacks torque on the bottom end, so I thought I'd pep it up a bit.  After several attempts to get the right parts from Summit (bless their hearts for trying), I just couldn't get any new gears to fit in the rear end.
 
Thus, I discovered what a DANA 44 rear end was...something not very common and somewhat tricky to feed.  [Thanks to you all, research is much easier]  All in all, it was very easy to drop and dissassemble.  As it is now laying in pieces on my garage floor, I am left with the task of finding the correct ring and pinion gear to go back into it.  I'm searching for a ~3.70 ratio, but I don't have a lot of cash to spare.  The original is a 2.86 in good shape.  If I must, I'll put it back together while replacing other worn out bushings, etc., but I'd rather have the gears.
 
What would be the best source?  I will attend the Alamo chapter Corvette Club meeting this Friday, but I'd like some input in the mean time.  What say ye experts???
RC-Kid2007-09-18 06:35:55


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Dana...who's Dana?

Posted: 9/18/07 7:01am Message 2 of 17
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visalia, CA - USA
Joined: 10/27/2006
Posts: 641
Vette(s): 1981 red with silver interior,350(L-81), 350TH, glass t-tops, aluminium rims, 1980 Black/ Black int., 350 GM crate engine/350TH, 1976 black/ saddle int., L-82 w/headers, holly carb, Hypertech ignition
CHECK WITH SUMMIT .   I DO BELIEVE I SAW GEAR SETS FOR THE DANA 44 IN THERE CATALOG.....


Dana...who's Dana?

Posted: 9/18/07 8:03am Message 3 of 17
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BILOXI, MS - USA
Joined: 12/8/2001
Posts: 547
Vette(s): 1969 rag top

Annicorvette
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Dana...who's Dana?

Posted: 9/18/07 8:14am Message 4 of 17
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San Antonio, TX - USA
Joined: 9/17/2007
Posts: 10
Vette(s): 82 Vette collector's edition - 350/700R4/Dana44 - Mostly stock, but looking to add more pep...
This is the style rear end I have.  It doesn't look like the newer versions.  When I click on this at the Richmond site, it doesn't list the 82...only 84 and up.  I'll check the Summit book again.  Can anyone difinitively say that this is a Dana 44 or not?  Hmmmmm.


Dana...who's Dana?

Posted: 9/18/07 8:17am Message 5 of 17
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San Antonio, TX - USA
Joined: 9/17/2007
Posts: 10
Vette(s): 82 Vette collector's edition - 350/700R4/Dana44 - Mostly stock, but looking to add more pep...
Summit catalog shows this style is for a 63-79 model.  Is it possible that I do not have the original rear end in my 82?


Dana...who's Dana?

Posted: 9/18/07 8:30am Message 6 of 17
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Manteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed
I believe the Dana, batwing style rearend was first used in '80, and through '82.


Dana...who's Dana?

Posted: 9/18/07 8:33am Message 7 of 17
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San Antonio, TX - USA
Joined: 9/17/2007
Posts: 10
Vette(s): 82 Vette collector's edition - 350/700R4/Dana44 - Mostly stock, but looking to add more pep...
I hear ya...
 
So, is this the design of a DANA model?
 



Dana...who's Dana?

Posted: 9/18/07 9:41am Message 8 of 17
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA
Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379
Vette(s): 1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.
aceinthehole is correct.
 
And it is a Dana 44.
 
Rumor is that our '80-'82' rearends were the precursor to the then upcoming C4 generation. C4's used both Dana 44's and 36's.
 
Try talking with someone at Randy's Ring and Pinion. 1-886-889-6110.
They are pretty knowledgable.




GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.
3.54 Dana 44
'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975




Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.


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Dana...who's Dana?

Posted: 9/18/07 9:56am Message 9 of 17
Former Member
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San Antonio, TX - USA
Joined: 9/17/2007
Posts: 10
Vette(s): 82 Vette collector's edition - 350/700R4/Dana44 - Mostly stock, but looking to add more pep...
I'll give Randy's a call and listen to all I can absorb.  In the mean time, the numbers on the bat wing are 14008658 ALCOA.  Can you interpret them?


Dana...who's Dana?

Posted: 9/18/07 9:58am Message 10 of 17
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20219
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Click for link to Randy's R&P

That is the casting number for the unit, and the maker, Alcoa Aluminuminum...
Adams' Apple2007-09-18 10:01:39


Joel Adams
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in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


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