Well, starting in 1972, there was an engine code in the serial number so the LeSabre 455 could be identified with it (the letter also changed if the car came with single or dual exhausts, 2 or 4 barrel carb. and even the Stage 1 package in the 1974 LeSabre) but there is no production breakdowns in books showing LeSabres with 350 or 455 engines after 1970. I don't know much about small Buicks but I think the same is true for the 1970 vs 1971 GS 350 and GS 455.
The 65-68 Wildcats and Rivs had 3.07 gears as standard equipment. The same axle was used in the 1966-70 Wildcats and Electras. Rivs had similar axles (same gears) but had different control arm locations. My 1968 Wildcat Custom 4 door hardtop had a 3.42 posi. The VIN information sheet from GM Canada shows it had the option G1 (performance axle-limited slip). It must have been a rare option on 4 doors! I removed the axle from the car when it went to the junkyard 2 years ago but I left it beside my other parts cars at my uncle's garage and it was scrapped by error last year :ball: Electras had posi axles too but they rarely had a performance axle. My 75 Electra has a 2.73 posi and I have seen a few others from from the 1960's and 1970's with posi axles. 3.23 gears replaced the 3.42 gears as the "performance axle" option in 1973 cars with 455 engines but were not available before.
Hi guys-I just saw this thread and will just add that i have a '73 Catalina (the same as the '72 excepting the added, beautiful? safety bumpers. I had a spare rear sway bar for it and tried to use in on my '66 225-no way would it mount up. The control arm width was the same, but the Buick 'punkin' was much larger on the eEectra and no way would the Pontiac bar get around it. The Catalina must have a smaller ring gear-it sure has much smaller brakes/drums in the rear-good luck-
George and Adam: You know, you guys aren't making my day nice at all. :ball: Why is it that everything I want to do on this car is so difficult? So, how do I go about finding these elusive gears/rearends? Where do I find the code for the rear gears on the car? Paul
Well, you are having are hard time because you have a low production car that was basically viewed as a "family" car back in 1970. You will find out you have a chore ahead of you especially finding "performance" items.
Yeah, I know. Most of the modifications I made through the years were adapting other GM performance parts to my application. Sometimes, I enjoy the challenge. Other times, I just want to improve something and be done with it. So goes the life of a performance-minded guy...
