Ring gear and pinion questions

[jg002305]

1. Is the 2.782" measurement on the AM452T GAUGE the distance from where the center of the ring gear would theoretically be positioned to the end of the gauge.
2. Simple definition of "endplay".
3. Simple definition of "preload".
4. What would be a typical measurement that is etched on the end of the pinion for a 440cid transmission. I can find no such number on the pinion where the manual says it should be. There is a number stamped on the shaft right at the aft end of the splines. The number that is stamped there is 2 46. That number seems to small.

[suther51]

#1 no help here, sorry
#2 endplay.
endplay is the amount of travel along the length of a shaft for example, pulling sideways on a wheel, tighten up the wheel bearings, less end play. ( most typicaly wheel bearings are checked by hand in a rocking motion not a pulling motion )
#3 preload.
preload, to use the wheel bearing example would be how tight the adj. nut is tightened after all play is removed, something that it NOT typical on older machines.
#4 I may show my ignorance here, but could the number be the gear ratio? and not the size??

[Lavoy]

There is no standard number, all pinion shafts are "measured" when manufactured and that number etched in the end of the shaft.
Lavoy

[jtrichard]

IF it is like a car or truck then with the numbers on the old pinion VS the numbers on the new one you can do the math and you will know how much shim to add or subtract behind the rear pinion bearing

[Lavoy]

The trouble is if you replace either the pinion bearing or race, then you need to start from a known point again.
Lavoy