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Actually, worst case is like what happened to me - my transmission tail shaft snapped in two when the 7-1/4 failed and locked up, and made having to replace the rear end costing me a new transmission as well. That was an expensive lesson learned. Worst part was, I had a good 8-3/4" with 3.23 sure grip laying around but was too lazy to change the rear when i changed the engine from the tired 318 to the nicely built 360 with T/A heads.



Ok. Best case, when your 7 1/4 finally gives up, you'll be forced to install an 8 3/4.

Worst case, anything beyond best case.



To me, simple economics dictates doing the swap ASAP. Besides the potential overrunning clutch / output shaft / extension housing tranny costs, there's this simple fact:

A serviceable 7-1/4" has some valve, even if only as trade bait. A blown up one is just scrap iron, to be melted into more Hyundais and Prisus'.

No bucks for an 8-3/4"? Find an 8-1/4" the right width (Dakota? Cherokee?)

Rick



RICK! I'm honored.

I have to debate your one point though... Here, where i am, a 7 1/4" has NO value. Nothing. Only the toothless cockroach scrap-metal thieves eyeing my backyard would find value in it. You cant sell ANYTHING here anymore. I sat on a really nice drum-to drum 8 3/4" for 3 years because no one would give me $150 for it. Before that the previous two 8 3/4's (E-body and A-body) sat as long because i wanted just a bit more.

I would love to find a loving home for all this rather rare E-body 6-cyl stuff... but in my moments ov lucidity i know that i will be buried with it...

And i HAVE a nearly NOS 8 3/4" housing and axles i've hoarded for THIS car... been under a workbench since 1971. Just have no pig, no shaft, and no rear brakes, nor the money to rebuild it with all the little (yet surprisingly costly) stuff it needs. I even have new leafs for it (yet again, no hardware for them either).