Classic/Antique Car Repair: 77 corvette, inch pound torque wrench, 77 corvette

Question
I AM LOOKING FOR THE TORQUE SPECKS FOR THE PINION NUT AND THE CARRER COVER FOR MY 77 VETTE. CAN ANYONE HELP ME WITH THIS?  THANK YOU.

Answer
Ok Scott, lets give it a try, the pinion nut does not have a specific torque. It is a self locking nut and is tightened until the spacer, a crush spacer, between the front and rear pinion bearing crushes enough to give a specific preload on the bearing when turning the pinion without the ring gear in place. That specification is 20 to 25 inch pounds of torque. A note of caution here. If you have over tightened the pinion nut and it takes more than 525 inch pounds of torque to turn the pinion measured with an inch pound torque wrench, replace the crush spacer and start over again. If you are replacing the pinion seal without removing the differential and ring gear, my trick is to mark the position of the pinion nut when removing it with a center punch. Then tighten the nut back up on assembly until the marks you made line up. Chevrolet says that the carrier cover bolts should be tightened to 20 foot pounds. or 27 Newton Meters. Good luck.
Brad