The post and discussion is being presented with the purpose of GOV LOK in a STOCK restored vehicle as they came from the factory.
To the best of my knowledge and research in the GEN 3 the G80 GOV LOC came in only the 82-85 models

My 85 has a nice and healthy Gov Loc. I really enjoy it. it works perfectly. Its very safe in situations such as slick streets.
No Positrac system will handle abuse.
The idea is seemless traction in all conditions.

For as many pics and swear to gods stories you hear about the G80 Gov loc you can find as many about all the others.

When you start messing with the envelope of performance an item is designed for you, are going to have failures. Putting 300+hp and the torque that goes with it, behind an item that was designed for 200 your going to get issues.

I have read and watched people talk about G80 explosions but what you dont hear is the modifications or the substantial larger tires they have or the general lack of service on the unit.

Its my opinion that the safest and best Posi units ever made for our stock cars are the G80 Gov Loc and the Zexel Torsen.

If your going to mod your car be sure to mod the rest of it.

I want to put a few things to rest.

After 20 MPH the locker will quit..............yes and no. If the locker is engaged say full throttle burnout both tires spinning it will stay engage until there is no more differential felt then the cam will disengage because that means traction has been attained.....Again this is for a Stock powered car.

Gov loc is useless after 20 mph. See above then figure this. Having both tires spin above and beyond 20mph forward movement is extremely dangerous. There is NO reason a stock car should be spinning both rear tires above that speed as you can loose control and the Original manufacturer doesnt want this at all. Again we are talking a stock vehicle.

A stock Z28/TA etc was not designed to drift.

The Gov loc is a great unit and under the designed uses it lasts. I would say it has saved several lives and kept many out of a ditch a time or two.

When testing a Gov Loc G80 while a car is on jacks the dif will act as an open differential.

G80 Gov Loc Gear oil must be changed and the housing must be very clean.
G80 Gov Loc does not use fish oil or Limited slip lube. Its doesnt need it.
G80 Gov Loc uses a clutch pack to ease engagement for a seemless tranfer of power.
G80 will not chatter around corners

For a restored 3rd gen there is NOTHING wrong with a working and serviced G80 Gov Loc

Funny thing on you tube is to see guys cus about about a crappy gov loc. One Home mechanic mentioned that his customer had to spend 1200 dollars for repair, a bone stock tahoe with 270K miles.............after watching the video twice he mentions that the axles needed replacing too not because of the gov loc but because of normal wear and tear. Moronic statements like that is what give the gov loc a bad wrap.

Here are some vids so you can understand what the dif is. No pun intended.

http://youtu.be/p8nAbg5suFw
< iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/p8nAbg5suFw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://youtu.be/KbMZ9vcYVSg
< iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KbMZ9vcYVSg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://youtu.be/lwKHs36CTzw
< iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lwKHs36CTzw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://youtu.be/tTGZOJQQBeE

 

If you have an Eaton positrac with the S spring you are pretty much SOL if it gets loose or doesnt work.

If you have an Eaton with the four spring in it you can rebuild and there are options as to the clutch tension you can preload on the the clutch packs.
Green springs are 200 pound, yellow are 400 and red are 800. Some of the 800 pound springs are not colored.

Pretty much anything above a 400lbs springs will give you tire chatter around corners on decel or light accell