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Lefty loosie, righty tightie ?

mightymidget

Jedi Knight
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I Dropped this bugeye rear end off at a forgein car shop, they let it sit for 30 days and didn't touch it. So I picked it up from the shop to rebuild myself now. This is a 1/4 spring Bugeye.

This big 2" nut. which way do you remove? and what do you use to remove it with? The only tool I have that fits is a hammer and chisel? can you buy special tool cheaply?

This rear end is a 9/38 what gear is this? I purchased one off ebay that was suppose to be a later model but the numbers are the same.

Any suggestions or advice will be well recieved right now

The bearings behind the nut, should I replace them?

Also I have a set of later model backing plates, since I need to replace everything in brakes should I upgrade
 
Right side is normal (right hand thread) left side is backwards (left hand thread)
I ended up using a hammer and punch to get them loose, haven't tightened them yet.

BillM
 
9/38=4.22 gears. If your eBay diff has these same #'s then it is not a late model rear end (a 3.90 would be 10/39 & a 3.72 would be 11/41).

I use a socket wrench to get the big nuts off (I have a set of big sockets)......I have never tried removing or reinstalling them without this tool, so I can't help you there.

If the hub turns freely and doesn't grind or drag, etc. then you probably don't need to replace the bearings, but you certainly could.....especially if you plan on replacing everything else.

I would upgrade the rear brakes if it were me (so use those later backing plates). My Bugeye has later brakes (front disc/rear drum)......I would highly recommend doing this if you plan on driving your Bugeye a lot or want to stop faster.
 
ChrisS said:
That nut is actually 1-7/8". You can get cheap sockets for ~$10 at autozone and https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-14416-4-Inc...3549&sr=1-3 but you'll need a 1/2" x 3/4" adapter unless you have a 3/4" drive ratchet. If you pay shipping both ways I'll send you one of mine.

thanks for offer and the correct size. I will go to a big box tool place and get a set, it is not the first time I have needed a large socket.

Is there a torq setting on this nut when reapplicating
 
Some say 140 ft-lbs.
 
anybody have a 390 rear?

Of course with the 5 speed datsun tranny/Datsun 210 motor bumped to 85-100 hp the 4.22 might make a fun car, if nothing eles. ummmhh...............
 
mightymidget said:
anybody have a 390 rear?

Of course with the 5 speed datsun tranny/Datsun 210 motor bumped to 85-100 hp the 4.22 might make a fun car, if nothing eles. ummmhh...............


Ooooh.....sounds just like my Bugeye! I have used a 4.22 with my A15 & 5-sp. and did not like it very much. If you do a lot more city driving than freeway driving then it may not be so bad, but it revs too high at 75-80 MPH for my tastes.


I'm running a 3.90 now and it's a good compromise, but I want to try a 3.7 at some point to see how it drives (just need to find one!).
 
That &@#!$%%$ nut is the reason I bought a set of 3/4" drive sockets at Harbor Fright. You might have to grind down the socket a little--that nut is pretty thin and the socket probably will have a rounded edge, so you don't get much "bite" on the nut.

This isn't a difficult job, and it's a good place to start in working on your Bugeye. I wouldn't replace the bearings unless you have a good reason to do it, as the replacement stuff is often not as good as the original. But definitely replace all the seals. Clean it all up, put in new brake shoes and hydraulics, and you'll have a nicely working rear end. I mean, your CAR will have a nicely working rear end.
 
I think you'll find the 3.9 about right. With the datsun 5 speed and 1275 in a square body I prefer the 4.22. I'm doing a Datsun A15 and 5sp in a 65 right now and am going with the 3.9.

Kurt.
 
My Midget has a stock 3.90 rear with Datsun 5 speed: engine turns about 3,200 RPM at 70 MPH. Pretty good gearing for such a car, I think. :yesnod:
 
vagt6 said:
My Midget has a stock 3.90 rear with Datsun 5 speed: engine turns about 3,200 RPM at 70 MPH. Pretty good gearing for such a car, I think. :yesnod:

Yea that sounds real good, looks like that project while be put on hold till a proper rear end is secured
 
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