I have a 70 Skylark with the factory open rear end. I want to change it to a posi with some new gears. TA Performance lists a posi unit, gears & installation kit for the 8.2 rear end. Is this all I will need for the rebuild & are these parts correct for my application? From what I have read on this board the 8.2 rear end is hard to find parts for.
Dan, This is one of those instances where you will be better off going to a built posi 8.5 A-body r/e. Finding truly nice used, say, 3.23 or 3.42 ratio 8.2 BUICK gears & a matching '68-70 BUICK 8.2 posi, then having the cone-type posi rebuilt, then having everything set-up with new bearings races & seals is going to run more than an outright propperly built 8.5 posi rear. Lastly, the 8.5 rearend is stronger & has HUGE aftermarket parts support. :3gears: Roger
Dan.....check this link from George D's. web-site....it explains much on a 8.5 conversion...especialy about shortening the drive shaft a bit... http://www.buickperformance.com/85rear.htm
There are no new aftermarket gears for the '68-70 BUICK 8.2 rearend. Only NEW ring & pinions for this style rearend will be near impossible to find NOS. For more info about REGULAR 8.2 "Pontiac" posi carriers, & the differences between them & '68-70 BUICK 8.2 posi carriers, ck the following thread: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=95821 Still need those dimensions! :3gears: Roger
Frank, George D????? That was a typo! It is George N. Get the 71-2 Cutlass/Skylark 8.5" rear, you will be much happier because you have a wide selection of parts and GM used the same center section from 71-87. You can also read the article on how to find and remove the posi units.
OK, looks like the 8.2 will have to go. Now the question is can I use a 12 bolt rear end out of a 67 Chevelle. A friend has one in his garage that we got from the junk yard sevral years ago. I believe it will bolt in but is about a inch or so narrower (wider tires :Brow: ). Are parts avaliable to rebuild this rear end or should I just go for a 8.5 10 bolt? o No:
12 bolt Yes the 12 bolt will work. Check the perches for the springs though. are they flat or do they have round stamped mounds for the spring to set in? That would be your only real concern. The width should not be a problem as long as you have at least 4 " back spacing on the rim. 12 bolt parts are found everywhere so that should NOT be an issue either. The 12 bolt rear is a c-clip style diff while the 10 bolt 71 72 8.5 rear is a bolt in stle axle rear. Both are strong and will do the job. Choose your weapon. Good luck , Jim
I have a set of the 70 "WG" wheels on order. I was told the backspacing is 4.25" so I should be OK there. I'll see if I can pick up the 12 Bolt this weekend to test fit in the car. Any idea on what size tire this would allow me to use in the back? Assuming the 12 bolt was correct for the 67 Chevelle we took it out of, what year range of parts would interchange? Are all 12 bolt gears & posi units interchangable? thanks to everyone for all the help. :TU:
Today, I'm assembling a '65 Chevelle 12 bolt posi rear, it's an outright sale. This morning I went through 17 stock 12 bolt axles to find a pair that were not pitted on the bearing lands & were straight! Not very good :af: Remaining early 12 bolt Chevelle & Camaro cores will all be built with new axles (more expense) Besides the typical poor quality stock axle problem, another consideration is placement of the upper perchs cast into the early 12 bolt Chevelle housings. As they are in slightly different spot than '68-72 A-body rears... to get propper pinion angle, one will either be chopsawing & fabbing stock upper control arms, or be buying adjustable uppers. In a '68-70 A-body, I'd go the 8.5 a-body route in a heartbeat, it's very hard to beat the tapered bearing bolt-in axle 8.5 A-body rears. :3gears: Roger
12 bolt upper control arm mounting. I do not believe that is a problem. I have each one in front and have done the measurements and they measure out the same. width and angle Now this is a 66 housing compared to a 71 housing. If you can get a good deal on the rear do it. you can always most likely sell it for more than you got it for to any chevy guy. Trust me. The axles will be the same length as a Camaro or Nova (29 5/8 ish inch in length depending on where and how you measure them.)if you need to buy or find them if they are pitted. If you need new axles give me a shot at trying to help you get some. I have a couple of connections here. Good luck with what ever choice you make. May I be so bold to ask what the price of this good deal is? May be able to help figure if your maybe paying to much and should go with a 8.5 10 bolt rear. Jim
This is one of those "in the right place at the right time" stories. I was at a local junk yard with my friend looking for Camaro parts last year. They had just towed in a 67 chevelle that was rotted beyond recognition. We were checking the car out and in the trunk was a 12 bolt rear end for the car. We look under the car and it has a 12 bolt under it. We had a yard worker lift the car up with the fork truck so we could remove the 12 bolt in the car. We took them up to the front and asked the guy "how much for these Chevy rear ends"? $50 each. We left the yard with 2 12 bolt rear ends for 100 bucks. One of the rear ends is being used in my friends current 69 Camaro resto project and he will give me the other for the $50 he paid for it.
