2) Also, as far as the gear ratio is concerned, I learned if you DO NOT have a positive traction rear-end or a tag with codes, lift both rear tires off the ground, rotate one tire a total of ten times while counting the number of times the opposite side tire turns. Ex: Tire 1 is rotated 10 times. The opposite tire rotates 25 times. The gear ratio is 250:1. (I haven't tried this so, please, if you know this info to be eroneous, reply with correction).
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Rick, the discription you post on finding gear ratio is a little far fetched.
Ratio is related to the pinon and ring-gear rotation, not the wheels side to side.
What has to be done is rotate the drive shaft and count the turns taken to obtain one turn of the wheel. Example-- 3 turns of the drive shaft to one turn of the wheel is an indication of a 3.0 gear. Said another way, it would take the engine 3 revolutions to turn the rear wheel 1 time and has no bearing on wether the rear is an open or posi.
...How to tell the 8 from the 9.
...Look closely at the mounting nuts. They both number 10 mounting nuts.
...On the 8", there will be 2 equally spaced nuts on the top, 2 on the bottom, and 3 up each side with side nuts centered inline with the axle, and the case will tend to look a little squarish on the top/bottom and sides.
...9" housing will be round and you will find the top and bottom nuts directly in the center as opposed to the 8. Just oppisite the 8".
...To see this illastrated, look into a Summit catalog page 163 latest edition, and look at the gasket lay out for the different rear housings.
...There are other visual differences but thats a lot to discribe beside the housing differences.
Ken
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