I have the rear end differencial sitting on my workbench and want to open it up snoop around and clean it up.When I remove the 8 bolts on the rear cover is a bunch of stuff goin to fall on the floor? Is there a gasket there or did GM use just a sealent? Thank you,Mikeee

Not having opened a Vette pumpkin yet I can't say for sure.  You will get a bunch of fluid spilling out unless you have pulled the filler plug and tipped the unit on its side to drain it. Norsky2008-01-29 11:59:26

You'll definitely get a workbench covered in 90wt gear lube when you separate the diff. Nasty, smelly crap!!!

While you may find a gasket between the two halves, you'll be better off not using one when you go back together with it. I've found that a good anaerobic type sealant works best on cast iron joints. Never had one leak yet.
Be sure to use a positrac additive when you do put the new fluid in. Some gear lube manufacturers say their lube already has it, but...don't trust them...always put at least one full bottle in it.

There will not be anything hitting the floor...unless it's broken...then you have an entirely different issue!

Let me re-phrase my question.First the grease was drained a few days back.My concern is any bearings,bushings,whatever, laying in the back cover that supports the gears. Thanks again,mikeee

hey Joel,I just read the last sentence in your post about nothing there to fall out, thats then answer I needed.

The rear cover is just that... a cover. It's only purpose is to hold the lube in, and give you a place to bolt the diff. up to the chassis and spring.

Anyone ever had any bad experiences with those cover bolts breaking?  They are blind holes so I wouldn't expect them to be rusted up but I can't help but wonder what I might be in for at a later date.

I had to take my diff out a couple years ago.  I had a ring gear bolt back out and it ended up getting shot out of the cover.  So you might want to check torques on the ring bolts.  As for posi additive - the Corvette shop who rebuilt my diff (GM Toys - Portland, OR) said to use TWO bottles of the GM kind.  You can still get it at your local Chevy dealer's parts counter. 

I removed back cover last night and discovered an UNWORN ring and pinion.Everything Iv'e seen on this car confirms what the PO told me at purchase....low mileage for 30+ years.The 8 or so bolts came out easily.There was a paper gasket there because the two surfaces had a machined finish.I see no paper gasket in Ecklers,so I'll make my own.Thanks to all for the input,Mikeee