rear axle widths?

Discussion in 'Got gears?' started by frydfsh, Jul 31, 2005.

  1. frydfsh

    frydfsh Well-Known Member

    New to Buicks, am curious what rear axle widths were used in 65 and 66. I'm guessing the full size cars used 12 GM axle of some variety. Can someone enlighten me what was used on what? Interested on widths, from axle flange to axle flange. Anyone have info on widths say from Skylark, Lesabre, Wildcat and Electra? Any brake drum size info would be helpfull also. :bglasses:
     
  2. oPh

    oPh Well-Known Member

    GM divisions producing B-bodys from '65-70, for the most part, all used different rearends. Brackets & control arm attachment were different between divisions for these big cars, so rears will not easily interchange.

    A-body rears are for most part interchangeable between GM A-bodys from '64-72. Some are better suited to being swapped than others. '64 model 8.2 10 bolts, for example, are for the most part useless in swaps, basically used under high point resto's.

    B series rears from '65-70.
    -Chevy used either 8.2 10 bolts or 12 bolts (both rears had c-clip axles).
    -Buick used Buick 9 3/8 basically from '66+. For more info, best to use the site search feature on this rear, ton of info avail.
    -Olds used several different rears. In '67 the type "O" (12 bolt smooth cover, 10 bolt gear) began to be used in Olds big cars, & in different housing, in Olds A-bodys. Before that, in '66 many Pontiac "P" rears were used in big Olds.
    -Pontiac used the "P" series 8 7/8 rear from '65-70. Brackets changed on these over the years, so a '69 Bonny rear will bolt right up in a '65 2+2, or vice versa.
    Caddys used their own rears, as well.

    Width issue... A-body rears are quite a bit narrower than same era B-bodys.
    Typical '64-65- mid 66 BOP A-body rear & '65-67 Chevelle 12 bolt is going to measure close to 60 3/8" drum to drum. Next wider A-body offering was used through '72 & will measure very close to 61 3/8" drum to drum. B series rears of this era were 3+ inchs wider & except Chevy, all used 5 on 5 wheel pattern. How wide exactly, one would have to measure examples of each style of '65-70 B series rear...

    '65-66 Big Buick rear width, going to have to defer to someone who has one out & can measure it.


    :3gears:
    Roger
     

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