:Smarty: Question: I have a friend who has a 12-bolt rear end,(coil spring rear end) that was in his '55 Chevy Belair,that measures out to 54". The rear end has 4.88 gears has a posi (no spool). I am quite certain this rear has a series 4 posi in it...just would like to know after measuring my 10-bolt in my '72.what should I do with this rear end: change the posi,to a series 3 and put 3.73-4.10 gears in it,sell it or try running as is. I looking for feedback. Thanks, Jay B.Britt,Jr.
If it was in a 55,make sure they didn't cut the control arm mounts,or anything else off of the housing. So far,it doesn't sound like it is worth messing with,since you would want to swap gears and possibly the posi. They do make 3:73's for the 4-series carrier. I would just build your existing 71-72 8.5" 10-bolt. Well worth it.
Where are you measuring your 54" from? Hooking the backing plate or butting against the inner of the backing plate??? It make a difference. It would seem if this were a A-body rear in a 55 chevy you would need to have chopped the lower control arm mounts from the A body rear rendering a head ache for a regular guy to reinstall and make it totally correct. FOR you I would stay away. Reason being - ratio too much posi might be a 4 series so de-gearing will be minimal with that carrier. replacing control arm mounting brackets. ...JUST TOO MUCH work. NOW if you were going to turn it into a camaro / leaf spring rear and it is truly 54" rear it would make a good swap for that. Still if your not drag racing or just hanging around town light to light action gear swap and maybe posi swap still is necessary. ALSO comes down to HOW MUCH are you getting the rear for also. Jim' J D
Jim and Brian....I did not look at the rear end to check to see if the bottom mounts were attached or not, I was getting it for a small fee, the owner of the '55 is replacing the 12 bolt, with a 55-64 drop center rear. Haven't bought anything yet. Thanks again for the input. Jay B.Britt,Jr.
good luck... just do your homework and see what it will need and crunch the numbers before jumping. JIm
Jim and Brian,I got a chance to look at the rear,all the lower mounting brackets were removed and ground off. I will get the rear I orginally intended to get...from Jim.
