On 1970 Buicks, the stampings are usually on the LH/drivers side tube toward the bottom, about 2-3" out from where the tube meets the housing. 1971 & 1972 Buicks are usually on the RH/passenger side tube toward the front of the car, and may be a little farther out. I'm not an expert, but I don't think that is a Buick rear end you have, so the codes may be located in a different location.
Great. Thanks James. Kinda what i was thinking, not sure where the previous guy who had this car got this rear from. may just have to pop off plate and have a look inside as well. It does however help leave some nice long parallel stripes with ease:3gears: :3gears: :3gears:
Here is another bit of info. 1971 was the first year for 8.5 rear. 69 -70 are the odd 8.2 10 bolts with the big driver side carrier bearing and big pinion shaft pinions. Also 3.64 was not an optional gear in a 8.5 rear. Your housing will have one main support web on each side lower that runs from the axle tube press in area to the pinion nose area. It will look like the same cover as the 71 72 buick rear inspection cover...BUT it is not. They are NOT interchangeable covers. ON will be a 1968 -1970 code the 1971 1972 started the L codes Hope this info helps some in ID ing the rear. If we had some pictures we can ID it real easy. Jim
Jim, Did you see the pics he posted above in post # 16, or were you talking about pics of the carrier? BTW - What is the difference in the covers between an 8.2 and 8.5 (bolt hole location/cover depth/???)?
Cover differences. 8.2 vs 8.5: From the untrained eye they look exactly the same. I will get some picutres together for you. The holes are so close to lining up it is crazy....BUT they do not. The 8.2 is kind of sqwashed from top to bottom ever so slightly on the holes and the 8.5 has NO brake hose bracket notch for the brake hose at the top bolt hole area(like his pictured) it has a little bump at the top and outer diameter of the curled lip because all 8.5 rears have a predrilled cast in chassis brake hose bolt hole boss.. Hard to explain it writing. PICTURES say it all...lol. The rear that is pictured is a 8.2 absolutely. If you showed me pictures of the front of the housing I will ID it it exactly. It is either a pontiac or BUICK early 65 66 67 rear. I am gonna guess before i see the pics and go BUICK 67 How do the springs mount? flat perch or cast bump and the spring fits on around the bump cup protruded bracket bump?... like all the rest 1968 -1972 spring perches. Jim
Might have to take my guess back and change it to Pontiac after seeingthe close up shot of the yoke sheild....lol. Get me that front cast area of the center section and will get it figured out. I will tell you right now. If it is a Pontiac it will be better for you if you are swaping gears etc. the 8.2 gears on the after market were made for the pontiac housings and early buick 65 66 67 housings with 1.438 pinion shaft size. I will be waiting for the pics. Crossing the fingers. Jimray:
It sounds like it's a 1969 Pontiac 8.2 based off of his casting number 9795082. I learned on the Pontiac board that axle ratio codes on 69 models are on the top of the LH drivers side tube, and that they did offer a 3.23. Supposedly, the Gran Prix had a stronger unit than the GTO... http://forums.performanceyears.com/forums/showthread.php?t=541014
Thanks Jim and James. I will take some pics tonight of the front and post see what you think. Buick guys rule and especially when there are named James since thats my 5 year old sons name!
To bad you were not closer I know where a posi 8.5 is in a 72 Skylark in a boneyard up around me. Not sure on ratio. I did not ask price as they usually are not cheap there. I would guess maybe 2 bills. Was there about a month ago. has some rust but probably would blast up OK. Only reason I saw it is someone took gas tank and Posi tag was still there.
