I want to have my rear-end rebuilt and have a couple of questions. Are there any good online documents with detailed instructions (photos being a plus) on what I need to do to pull the rear end? Any suggestions on the best way to handle these repairs? Should I bother pulling the rear-end if I'm going to take it to a shop and have them do the work? Or is it better to just bring the entire car to the shop? I have a posi rear-end and want to both rebuild this and modify my gear ratio. The car isn't a daily driver and I'm more interested in 'light to light' performance then freeway driving. Any recommendations? 350 (030 over) / med cam / 3500 stall / shift kit / th-350 tci transmission (2 speed)
Will probably be much cheaper, easier and quicker to install an 8.5" from a 71-2 Skylark/Cutlass. Sell your posi unit from the 8.2" and use the funds to build a nice 8.5" rear.
eljefe, What gear ratio is your '68 Skylark 350's posi rear? If it's a 3.23 posi, & you have no future plans for a really strong big block Buick, it's prob going to be a LOT cheaper to stay with the BUICK 8.2 rear. Esp, if the axles are good...not chewed under the bearing surface. If on the other hand, your axles are bad, & a REALLY healthy BUICK 455 is planned, you're prob setting on $400-750 worth of BUICK 8.2 core parts, & a HD 8.5 build would be the better route. Got Posi? :3gears: Roger
OK, lets say I'm going to go with the 8.5 unit.. what cars/years/models had what I'm looking for? I've also kicked around getting rid of the drum brakes and going with disc. Was there a year that had the 8.5 and disc brakes? Can I get a bolt-on setup that won't require a lot of modification to get to fit/install?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/10-B...013QQitemZ230091940922QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW Is that what I'm looking for? Or do I want something in better condition? any idea what my axle spline count is on my car?
You have a 28 spline rear axle...same spline on GM corporate rears...8.5" units...from 71-87. The ebay link you provided is for a 2 series. You want to get a 3 series unit......410408 cast on the carrier. Or....you can buy a new Eaton carrier...depends on what you want to spend. I usually find the 408 carriers from the 80-87 full size GM wagons. See my article on the site below for all the info on them. Get the complete rear axle from a 71-2 Cutlass/Skylark and you will have a good base rear to build. Also, when going to the 8.5" rear in your car....you will need to shorten the driveshaft 1". Also, a good time to install new u-joints and have the d-shaft balanced. Also, for the rear disc brakes......I have the info on our site. All depends what your intended use for your car will be in the future. If this is just for street use and some track use....your disc/drum set-up will work fine.
Thanks - did some looking on the site. nice information. Do you know anyone that sells the 8.5 already rebuilt and ready to install? Any suggestions on a shop in Ohio that will do the drive shaft shortening/balancing work? appreciate the replies. As for the brakes.. I'm not really doing much with this ride other then just casual cruising. I'm not looking to put a fortune into the car, but I'm willing to put the money into it for upgrades that will actually enhance the car and make it better.
did a little more searching on ebay (i sell a bunch of stuff on ebay, so out of habit I buy a lot of stuff there also) is this what I'm looking for? Without gears: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/REBU...005QQitemZ150092832471QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW With gears: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/10-B...003QQitemZ130081584847QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW Any suggestions on a good gear ratio? It's not a daily driver and will honestly probably never see a race track or a freeway. I just want more pull at the light (1/8th mile type stuff).
I believe oPh is in OH and can help you out. I would go with 3.42 gears for a city car....you can go to 3.73 but your engine needs to be able to rev to that rpm range.
I had the motor rebuilt and really haven't had much time or money to do much with the car, but thats changed and I want to start finishing up my list of 'things to do' over the next couple of months before summer hits. I just checked the rearend to verify that it was the 8.2 (it doesn't have the 'ears' that the 8.5 pics have, so I take it that it's the 8.2) but it does have the posi tag. Is there a good online source to find rebuilt 8.5" rearends ready to install?
Can't go by the "ears" to ID, have to go by the pinion flange & bolts. 2 of the 3 different '71-72 8.5 A-body housings do not have the big square lugs or "ears". Want a quote, what ratio do you want? Did you ever ck what ratio you currently have? Got Posi? :3gears: Roger
haven't checked yet - my garage is pretty snowed in still and I don't have much moving room to get up under it right now to check. What's the best way to confirm that I have the 8.2 rearend? Same goes with the current gear ratio.
Found a couple other articles on IDing and rebuilding these rearends. http://www.oldsmobility.com/10bolt-tech.htm http://www.oldsmobility.com/10boltPont-rebuild.htm
