We also swapped in a Chevelle 12 bolt , it was about 3/4”- 1” narrower, but that is really nothing. But it allows for more meat.
I can build a serious one out of this one. Housing ends cut off and Moser #7900 ends welded on,to make a true bolt-in axle. Shock mounts moved inboard,behind the lower control arm to help take some of the angle off the shock,which helps 60fts. Tubes welded to the pumpkin and brake hose tabs welded for potential rear disc brake install. I made this one slightly narrower. I took 3/8” off each side. Blasted and powder coated. Ready to build.
I like it when you guys post pictures of car parts in the house. I show them to my wife and tell her at least I'm not doing this!
From my personal experience the 8.5 is a pretty dang strong setup.........mine is working fine going mid 10s and soon to be lower
Built this in my kitchen. Cleanliness and all. (and rebuilt the ST400 after the converter assploded...)
If I can get my supercharged motor going by summer,we will see how tough the 8.5 rears are..I ran 11.55 with it so far,and want to knock off about 2 seconds and see how that goes..
I think the biggest limit to our 8.5 is you can only fit 30 spline axles through the A9 bearing.....the ring gear isn't that much small than the 8.875 12 bolt. They share some of the same bearings inside. And I don't thing any or many pro gears sets are available for the 8.5. Now there are some 8.5 from like sport wagons that use A10 bearings and now you can get 33 spline axles. If you change the housing ends I know Mark Williams makes 35 spline carrier.......but I would they need special carrier bearing
Yes,I have built a few 8.5’s with the Vista housing and 33-spline shafts,and a few with 7900 ends. I don’t think any of my 8.5’s have been in the 8’s,but I have one going 9:20’s just fine.
Brian. Just curious as to what it cost to get the 7900 housing ends installed??? I think a pair is fairly reasonable for the parts. What size axles can be installed through them. I'm worried about my 30 spline going to hold up to my new combo. So be interested in compairing.........I think I'm going to be able and need to shorten both side a 1/4 to 3/8" to help fit my tires in. I think the 33s would live and I have a Vista housing......but no since in cutting it up........im comparing the cost to do an 8.5 to maybe an s60
The other advantage to an 8.5” or 12-bolt Chevy is they don’t rob as much power as a 9” or D60. I run a SET20 tapered bearing with the 7900 ends,but there is also a large sealed bearing available. I prefer the tapered bearing for street-driven cars,as they handle side load better than a ball bearing. You can run a 35-spline axle with SET20. There are 33-spline spools and I believe there are also 35-spline spools available for the 8.5”. The bearing hub bores on a spool can be much thinner on the spools,due to the material,versus a posi unit that needs a thicker hub. Here is one of those Vista rears that I built with the factory SET10 housing ends,33-spline shafts,cap studs,girdle cover,steel 1350 yoke. There aren’t any 33-spline posi units readily available for the 8.5”. I have to make them.
Yup i believe i have this tile in my bath room. Nice 12 bolt axle for sure. I have my original Stage 1 3:64 axle and gear under the car. I was never able to find this "ON" on the tube but admittedly rebuilt it in chassis. I still have the two piece rubber drive shaft. Figure it would fail before the gears .
