Classic/Antique Car Repair: Gear changes, chevy c, new shaft

Question
I have a 1974 Chevy C-10; 350 w/small changes for torque and power; auto.  It has the stock gear ratio in the rear end (411 I believe) and I want to change to a 370.  Can I change the ring and pinion myself without special tools or equipment to set clearances etc.?  Thanks, Don

Answer
you should have no trouble if you have all the tools 1/2 in socket set and a good tourque wrench and if you put the  new ring and pinion on your rear you should be fine but you might have to shim the ring a lil so look at yours when you take it off if there is any shims on it use them or new ones. or  leave them  on. and you must put the bolts that hold down the ring on in sequence and I would use lock tite and touqure them at what the book tells you to  toqure them at  dont strip them. Also you must pull out both axels out apx 6 inches so you can get the rear out it is no big deal if you know how to do it and it is not that hard but you will have to read up on it and have a helper and dont over tighten touqure as it tells you and as far as the gears the slap / play should be apx 1/4 in or just smooth no knocking or clacking but if you put in the same unit is should be fine. and the pinion you will need a new shaft pc. you will see it when you take yours off it is on the pinion and it will sqush into size when you toqure it  back on the big nut holding the u-joint it looks as if it is a pc. of tail pipe.  do a lil bit of reading in a teck book at the library first and I recomend you have someone that does know a bit about it the change of gears will save you gas and you will go a bit faster on the hiway  and a slower take off but all and all not that much of a diff. but I do recomend you have some type of help ok.