The good news is that all the newer stuff that I have upgraded is just fine, bad news is that the rear differential, power steering slave cylinder and transmission pan(again) are leaking. I do need to replace the rear passenger hub assembly too, as the bearings are bad.

Time for a Borgeson. I was going to change the tranny and up the rear end eventually.  Probably go with a 700r4 and 3:70's or Dana's(hello Sarge?).

The need to do is the wheel hub. Everything else can wait until the house is up.

dads2vette said: 

700R4 would be a good choice to replace that 350C.

Our '80-'82 differentials are the aluminum Dana 44 IRS. I had a guy in Texas rebuild mine with genuine Dana 3.54 gears and used a C4 posi unit/carrier. 3.73 would be quite a considerable jump from the stock 2.72's  Be very careful who you have redo your diff. Stay away from Duntov Motors. They build grenades.

As for you rear wheel bearing. I would either get rebuilt wheel bearing assemblies or complete t-arm's. We did complete t-arms on Barb's '78 SA at Ebo's place because they were original and we all felt it was best for her car since she drives it a lot like you do yours.

Keep in mind Bair's offers good quality rebuilding services for both diffs, wheel bearing assemblies and t-arms.

You didn't mention what team finished first replacing Barbs Tarms.

You might look into an air-ride system.  Being 10 miles off the grid in AZ you may need more clearance and a winch on the front bumper!  

dads2vette said:  Do you still have contact info on the guy that did your rear, cars rear?  We had a rear end rebuilt in the '67 Camaro and it blew up after 50 miles. 

I like John's suggestion. Take it over to Gas Monkey Garage and have 'em put a lift, air ride and 33's on the vette. 

Dave

Earlier this year I had so many noises in my '73, I thought I had to change out everything from the door handles back. Bearings, clutches, gears, bushings, you name it. The car not only had the tight turn crunchies, it squeaked and had some funny noises going in a straight line and even over bumps.

Before opening that expensive can of worms, I ran the car up to temp and sucked out as much fluid as I could, then replaced it with two bottles of GM posi additive and topped it off with new 90w. That was followed up by a dozen figure eights in a nearby parking lot, a 10 mile drive on the highway and another dozen figure eights and it has been quiet as a mouse ever since. I was amazed and I can't believe I'm even tempting fate by typing this.

Might be worth a try.

And +1 on not going over the 3:55's. That's what I have with a close ratio 4 speed. Lots of RPM's going down the highway @ 65 MPH. Maintaining 70 for any length of time pushes my comfort level a bit with a 43 year old SB.