OT-76 hard pinion confusion
OT-76 hard pinion confusion
In my search for a hardened pinion for my optima I've come across a few variations of the ot-76. From what I've read, it should be a dull grey but the ones I've come across are not. They are clearly marked OT-76 hard final pinion on the packaging hence my confusion. Are these "shinier" pinions inferior?
- Coelacanth
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Re: OT-76 hard pinion confusion
Thorp also made an upgrade gear, I believe made from steel. I managed to score a few of these over the years. Pick one up from this seller (not me) and save yourself a few bucks.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-THORP-Dirt-Burners-4738-Ultima-Maxxum-Optima-Javelin-OT76-Final-Pinion-/191756032060?hash=item2ca58cd83c:g:qeYAAOxy7MtRr9fT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-THORP-Dirt-Burners-4738-Ultima-Maxxum-Optima-Javelin-OT76-Final-Pinion-/191756032060?hash=item2ca58cd83c:g:qeYAAOxy7MtRr9fT
Completed projects: CYANide Onroad Optima | Zebra Gold Optima | Barney Optima | OptiMutt RWD Mid
Gallery - Coel's Stalls: Marui Galaxy & Shogun Resto-Mods | FrankenBuff AYK Buffalo | 1987 Buick GNX RC12L3
Gallery - Coel's Stalls: Marui Galaxy & Shogun Resto-Mods | FrankenBuff AYK Buffalo | 1987 Buick GNX RC12L3
- GoMachV
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Re: OT-76 hard pinion confusion
You can also use a 5mm bore Robinson pinion gear. They for great. Can't recall the tooth count but a whole lot cheaper!
Re: OT-76 hard pinion confusion
Thanks guys. With the hardened pinion, how hot of a motor can these diffs handle? I know that the chain drive won't hold up to today's mod motors but I'm just wondering about the diff itself.
- Coelacanth
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Re: OT-76 hard pinion confusion
Somebody posted a topic on here about that...I believe it was a great alternative, dirt-cheap...but also needed spacers as the pinion gears were shorter. I believe the final pinion gear is 19T...can someone confirm the pitch?
Completed projects: CYANide Onroad Optima | Zebra Gold Optima | Barney Optima | OptiMutt RWD Mid
Gallery - Coel's Stalls: Marui Galaxy & Shogun Resto-Mods | FrankenBuff AYK Buffalo | 1987 Buick GNX RC12L3
Gallery - Coel's Stalls: Marui Galaxy & Shogun Resto-Mods | FrankenBuff AYK Buffalo | 1987 Buick GNX RC12L3
- GoMachV
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Re: OT-76 hard pinion confusion
It's 32 pitch and 19t sounds correct. I don't recall spacing it on mine but I must have
- losiXXXman
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Re: OT-76 hard pinion confusion
Thank you guys. I ended up buying a hardened final pinion off eBay . I know I over payed but who knows what or if any will show up in the future.
- terry.sc
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Re: OT-76 hard pinion confusion
The easy way to identify a OT-76 pinion is that the hard pinion has a groove machined into it, as can be seen here.Grunger73 wrote:In my search for a hardened pinion for my optima I've come across a few variations of the ot-76. From what I've read, it should be a dull grey but the ones I've come across are not. They are clearly marked OT-76 hard final pinion on the packaging hence my confusion. Are these "shinier" pinions inferior?
Re: OT-76 hard pinion confusion
Yes, I made sure it had that ring around it . The one I bought is shiny like the one in your pic. Some sort of hardened aluminum I would assume??terry.sc wrote:The easy way to identify a OT-76 pinion is that the hard pinion has a groove machined into it, as can be seen here.Grunger73 wrote:In my search for a hardened pinion for my optima I've come across a few variations of the ot-76. From what I've read, it should be a dull grey but the ones I've come across are not. They are clearly marked OT-76 hard final pinion on the packaging hence my confusion. Are these "shinier" pinions inferior?
- jwscab
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Re: OT-76 hard pinion confusion
not likely. probably steel, if hardened any significant amount. can be coated about 10 different ways, could be chrome plated, polished, cadmium, chromate, etc.
yes, i recall that the final pinion can be replaced with a robinson motor pinion a lot cheaper.
yes, i recall that the final pinion can be replaced with a robinson motor pinion a lot cheaper.
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