I had a similar experience with the rearend gears on my '46 Austin gasser. I pulled the whole rearend out of it and took it to the shop to have the gears changed from 2.73 to 3.73 and told them they had "lots of time" before the Portland roadster Show.
After numerous frustrating problems concerning parts I ended up getting the job done two dyas before the show! Had to rush home and install the rearend and adjust my suspension and ladder bars to get it aligned. Made the show, but man was I irritated after some silly mistakes on the shop's part. They did do a good job of getting it all patterned right though.

 

I'll tell you what, I'm really glad that I know how to do it myself.

 

It's one thing I wish I knew, but I don't need it often enough to learn this late in my life!

 

I am extremely envious of anyone that can do that work themselves, it's definitely an art. Still wish I could have observed the work being done as to get a better understanding of how it all goes together. Those parts weren't cheap and I really just wanted to make sure it was done right as to not have to revisit that end of the car for awhile. Shouldn't have been too much to ask considering what I had to pay those guys. It's done, moving on now....

 

I'm gonna try it on the other axle I have. I'm trying for bullet proof, I hope its Damon proof at least.