So of late I'm into a wrong parts dilemma. First off are the axle bearings. I'd ordered them and a few other things recently from "That Big Online Parts Place" which usually has given good service, but this time the rear axle bearings are incorrect. The ones out of the car are 3.25 in outside dia, the one's I received are 3.062 in (3 1/16). In doing some online searching the same Timken number RW508 comes up from multiple sources as the correct bearing for the car, but it's not.
Perhaps there was a mistake made then everyone copies everyone else, that I don't know.
The inside dia is the same for both, so that's correct but they won't work and I'm not about the make a sleeve to fit the wrong size in there.
I've also verified the rear axle is the correct one and matches the build sheet, a 3.07 standard diff.
Then after some calls a friend came to the rescue with some old books which state 68-70 Full Buicks take a the 3.25 dia one. Fortunately I was able to find a pair of NORS ones and hope to have them by the weekend.
Then the latest issue are the u-joint strap kits. The pinion seal needed changing, no question, though the rear u-joint is still good, but the nuts on the retaining straps were so badly rusted that was no saving them. My local parts place had a listing and even had them in stock, and there's an issue there too. They are correct for dia of cups on the joint, but the bolt spacing is too wide and will not bolt up to the yoke. Once again after a bit of online searching it looks like the same MOOG part is available from multiple sources and says it is correct, which it isn't.
So I'm still stuck for a u-joint strap retainer right now. However you folks who have more experience with these cars than I do what are your comments about the axle bearings?
Keith