Lack of available parts and $ is dictating that I rebuild my 8.2 using the ring gear spacer.I'm going to make sure I open it up and inspect it every so often for starters,so I don't end up in the same situation.Anything I can do to make this more durable?Had grade 8 bolts before,but have read something about the weaker grade 5 bolt having more shear strength,any truth to this?

LOL,that's kinda what I expected.

Any idea on the grade 5 or 8 bolts as far as strength?

Don't know if the grade 5 bolts would be better or not. You would need to contact a bolt manufacturer for that information. As for using the spacer, sometimes you just gota do what ya gota do. I guess many times they work fine.

I used a spacer with 4.10's and slicks on an L-78 Nova with no problems. Maybe I was just lucky.