For my '71 Skylark i am goin to be dropping in a 455 and i ID'd the rear end to be a 8.5, i am going to be goin with 3.42's in the back and putting in a posi. i will be runnin a TH400 until i can find either a 200r4 or 700r4 (either one better for a moderate built 455?o No so what my question is, I want to make sure the rear will be able to handle the extra power so im lookin for a rebuild kit for the rear. anywhere or any particular company i should look for? should i look into upgrading to a high spline count? eliminate the c-clips? i want to keep this rear end and not bounce up to a 12 bolt of ford 9". anyways any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thanx :beers2: ~Scott
If your 71 still has the original 8.5 10 bolt, it is bolt in axles, no C clips. The 8.5 is a very stout rear. It will be fine. I replaced the 8.2 in my 1970 with a 1971 8.5 rear. Before I did the transplant, I upgraded to Moser 30 spline axles and a 30 spline Eaton Posi with 3.73 Yukon Gears. If you are interested in the Moser axles and everything else, just PM Monzaz on this board. He can get everything you will need and save you some money too.
thanx for the very helpful info Larry :beer i appreciate it. good to know about the c-cips, i was debating on 3.73's but i dont know how long til i can afford an overdrive (700r4 or 200r4). with 28" tall tires (275/60R15) and 3.73's i kno it will act more like a 3.55 but would the rpms be way up there? not a lot of freeway driving but there will be some once i get this project rollin, 15-20 miles being the most, then city streets everywhere else. ~scott
That is what I have, 3.73's with P275/60R-15 tires. 60 MPH is about 27-2800 RPM. I also have a Gear Vendors Overdrive (.78). That drops it down to 21-2200 RPM @ 60 MPH
