salvage yard sent the wrong part, what can I do?
 

I was going to change out the differential on my car from the 4.3 torsen and was looking for a replacement. After doing some research, I found that the late 80's 626 manual RWD car has the 3.636 ring and pinion that I was looking for. I found a place fairly close to me from car-parts.com that supposedly had one in stock for a decent price. According to the ad, it was the 3.636 and a torsen. So I have been on a business trip for all of January but still ordered it so I would have something to play with once I got home. I opened the box, and not only is it not a torsen (the bar is there), but it is a 3.9!! I had the stuff shipped since the place is a 4 hour drive from me in LA traffic. I sent an email asking him how he plans to rectify the situation, but I don't know what I can expect. It cost me $25 to have it shipped to me and it only cost me $75 for the part.

It is a taller gearset than I have so it isn't totally useless, it just isn't the one I was told I was getting. Your thoughts on how I should approach this?

I'll take the 3.9 for $75. I need an open diff to weld too, so that would be perfect.

dude you got a steal.

I'm having trouble following, and I think part of the confusion is that you're confused.

Were you expecting to bolt up a 626 diff to your miata? It's the R&P that's interchangeable, nothing else. You put the 626 R&P into your carrier.

Also, I have not heard of anyone who has actually found a 3.6 or a 3.3 R&P.

From what i read he got a 3.9 626 R&P and was expecting a 3.6. Either way if he got a 3.9 for 75$ he got a steal.

No torsen, no lsd in old 626s. And just because it's a manual trans doesn't guarantee it's a 3.63. The one 626 I actually found had a 4.1.

I don't know that going through work of the swap is worth it from the 4.1 to the 3.9 IF what you want is the rpm you get from the 3.6. If it were me, I'd tear it apart and sell the 3.9 r&p. You stand to make a couple hundred bucks from it (IF it really is a 3.9), cuz there's guys out there with 4.3s that would love to have that rear.

Just to clarify, I am one of those guys that has a 4.3 that wanted something lower. I am just annoyed that it said it was a 3.636 and it isn't. I know it is still a good deal either way, it just isn't what I was told I was getting. As for the earlier comment about the carrier, I was only planning on swapping out the ring and pinion. I know the 626 carrier won't transfer to my car.

dunno how I missed it, but I might consider the move to the 3.9 from the 4.3. That WILL be a noticeable difference. The price would make it worth it, but it still won't be a 3.63. I just got in on the Mazmart (Ben's) group buy on the 3.63 for something like $320. If the 3.63 is must, then throw this up on ebay and make some dough.

Yeah, that is an option. And it is probably what I am going to end up doing.

Well, it's official... I am a complete tard. Apparently, I didn't count the teeth correctly when everything was still assembled. I took it apart tonight and everything is in order - 40 on the ring and 11 on the pinion = 3.636 :)

Not bad for $105 including shipping and tax :beer:

Now I just have to take my current diff apart and install the new parts. Yay!! And yes, I already sent an appology email to the vendor I bought this from. (eats a slice of humble pie). Next time I will know to double check before claiming something is amiss.

OK so is the moral of this story that a late 80s 626 differential has 3.6 gears that will fit?

The ring and pinion can be swapped into a miata differential.

Not only was it only $100, but you are the only person I know of who was actually able to find one. :friday:

dude you are such a lucky bastard, really congrats man

alright im confused, why does everyone want such a tall gear?

more time in boost and I can get to 60 in second gear :) Added benefit of mileage increase on the highway.

Look on M.net, there are some good threads there about what cars have this gearing. But yes, the early to mid 80's RWD 626's have the 3.636 gears. Also look on car-part.com as there are several carriers listed with the 3.6 gearset around the country.