1966 differential

The base model differential is a one tire fryer.
The limited slip was an option.

Hi All,

just another opinion,

Re: the loss of traction on one of the rear drive wheels, with a conventional differential, under engine torque, the pinion is climbing the crown gear, that is the reason for the right axle/wheel to be lifted, thus reducing traction between tire and road surface on the Right/passenger side.

[1Redctoo]

Hi , I understand the conventional vs limited slip workings basics . the thing that interests me is.......... why , on my car is it ALWAYS the LEFT wheel that looses traction ? It seems to me that all the cars i've seen smoke 'em up (non posi ) its the Right wheel that breaks loose . Mostly just curious unless something is amiss .

[Itshakes]

Maybe your car is a "LEFTY"

Hi All,

the term "Lefty" can apply here, in that the torque applied is favoring the Left side.

If I may speculate here, I would have to assume that we are dealing with a POSI differential, that is not applying sufficient pressure to the clutch pack/plates connected/splined to the left axle side gear.

to test this possibility, raise the left rear wheel off the ground, and with transmission in NEUTRAL,( so the drive shaft can rotate ) you would be able to rotate the left rear wheel by hand or using a breaker bar, much easier than expected, as compared to the same test on a healthy posi differential.

[1Redctoo]

LEFTY HERE , Acutally I am left handed and so maybe by Karma or some other force my car is too . Anyway the differential is a 1966 AK non posi ,standard . I've wondeed if someone previously could have converted it and maybe its going bad on me now ? Guess I'll have to jack the car up and spin the wheels to check it .

[StrayDog]

Originally Posted by 1Redctoo

LEFTY HERE , Acutally I am left handed and so maybe by Karma or some other force my car is too . Anyway the differential is a 1966 AK non posi ,standard . I've wondeed if someone previously could have converted it and maybe its going bad on me now ? Guess I'll have to jack the car up and spin the wheels to check it .

I have a 1966 ,427 took her to run the 1/4 mile oldies day at NE Dragway ..On my first run ( i was in right lane) she went left , right tire was doing all the work.......had it checked & my posi was worn out , luckaly found a rebuilt 3.70 posi pumpkin ( center section) ...... on the corvette Fourm from a guy in Huntington Beach calif .........he had it totally rebuit for his 65 & sold car before installing , bought iit for 350 bucks + shipping a few yeats ago ....instaled in my 66 now works great. best ET 13.06 @ 105 MPH

so my thought is you may have posi but its worn out ........ if so u can have rebuilt a lot of vendors in the various corvette catalogs ...The Dog

[byronhunter]

Torque on a live (solid) axle car lifts the right tire. Not the case with independent suspension!!!!!

Hello Byron,

I'm inclined to agree with your statement.

The action/reaction of engine torque, where the differential is mounted to the vehicle frame as in independent suspension, will cause the frame to twist counter to engine rotation, thereby applying more down pressure to the right side wheels, and lift / reduce pressure on the left side wheels encouraging left rear wheel spin / slip.

this is a valuable clarification that explains why some experience left side wheel slip, and others right side wheel slip.

[byronhunter]

Romain D'hont, I watched this post for almost 2 weeks and wondered if anyone was going to nail it down! I do a lot more reading than posting, but finaly I couldn't stand it anymore, so the short post. You got it right and I hope it helps someone else!