Finding a 10 bolt 8.5 posi In salvage yards

Im changing my open carrier to a posi carrier and changing from the stock gear ratio to something in the low 3's. So because im changing the ring gear i need a matching pinion gear, right?

 

OK this whole list is a MOOT point on any 8.5 whole complete rears that will fit your a- body GM car chassis. You can use the GUTS from them from 1971-1987 as they were all 28 spline carriers, Gears can be used from ALL 10 bolt 8.5 from 1971 - 2000 cars and trucks...1988 - 2018 10 bolt rears 8.5 and 8.6 were all 30 spline axle carrier units...WHICH can be retro fit into older car and truck housing assemblies with the correct 30 spline axles also.
ONLY 1971 1972 A-body Buick and Oldsmobile are going to be 10 bolt 8.5 That is it. YOU might find these 1971 1972 A-body rears under different A-body cars (1964-1972) but most likely they were not factory installed. I did part out a few 1972 Pontiac Lemans 10 bolt rears being 8.5...BUT can not verify whether that was an original FACTORY installs .

3/4 ton trucks were not equipped with 8.5 10 bolt rears. 3/4 ton conversion vans in the 90's YES.
Camaro 1970 still used the chevy 10 bolt 8.2 and 12 bolt chevy. Firebird ... unsure.

Just wanted to clear some of that list up which I know you got from Hemmings... . Just want that info as correct as we can get and clear.

Jim
J D

 

Yes, You can not switch ring and pinion gears...THEY must be matching sets...EVEN NEW GEARS.... even if you buy 2 sets of 3.42 gears you can not mix them up.... ALL aftermarket gears are mark with a number usually etched into the ring and the pinion to keep them matched. If pinion gear has a 161 etched you will find a 161 etched somewhere on the ring too.

Jim
J D

 

Okay im going to need to buy a new set of ring and pinion gears along with a posi unit. Do you personally use gears off salvage cars or do you have a company you recommend?

 

I SELL everything....

 

If your car is a KEEPER... BUY NEW. Jim

 

There is a sale in the PARTs section of this forum till NEW YEARS

 

Okay in January I would love to buy a posi carrier and a gear set of 3.08? Im still deciding on the gear ratio because i want to daily drive the car and i don't need my gas mileage going into the crapper but I want better performance. and my car is a keeper, never getting rid of it.

 

3.08 sounds good...

 

Whats your price on a s clip posi and 3.08 gears? I think you said you had like 10 of the s clip posi units on the shelf.

 

Do not have 'S' spring posi units anymore. Nor do I need to. I can get the NEW ones for way good prices and have no issues with Noise. I do not need to piece part them together any more from swap meet and junk yard parts
Check your New conversation email box for the prices of what I do have.

Thanks, Jim
J D Race

 

Every 71-72 Cutlass/442 and every 71-72 Skylark/GS came with an 8.5” 10-bolt when it was built at the factory. If you parted one of those cars l,and it did not have one,then it was swapped. Pontiac kept the BOP 8.2”,but started phasing in the 8.5” in 72. Very few of these cars have been found with one. Chevy also kept the 8.2” Chevy,and they also supposedly started to phase in the 8.5”,but I have never seen one. Maybe Jim will chime in.

 

Never found a 8.5 in ANY CHEVY... The 12 bolt Chevy was being popped into most Chevy cars with 4 bbls to unload them in 1972... as 1972 NON of these rears will fit the NEW a-body larger wider chassis. SO I can believe thwat Pontiac A-bodys could start getting 8.5 once the plants 8.2 BOP ran out. I have parted LeMans 1972 with a 8.5 about 2-3 I STILL say Check them all print off copies of what your looking for. 1 1/4" pinion NUT... Must have 4 bolts and 2 straps on the yoker...MUST have the brake hose grommet boss on the top of the casting center between the upper control arm bushings. Must have BOLT in axles. THOSE are absolutes.... covers can be tricky and mislead.

Jim J D Race

 

Great information guys! I think the comment was deleted from the member after hearing your facts.

 

Okay guys, how much would you guys buy this 8.5 for? I mean look at it..theres finally a salvage skylark by me and it's in a shape of no return, the body is terrible, it looks like it's been under water!

 

No more than $150

 

normal Ohio rear here...lol. I pay up to 250.00 here for them. Just can not find any.

 

If I had the space I would buy the whole car and part it out and keep the rear end for the future.
Today at school I was working on my rear disc brake conversion and finally got the drum off after a month to see the 4 holes in my axle shaft. Pretty excited, I knew you guys identified it right, but it's just the final thing to confirm it.

 

Yep, When you put the axle in the correct aligned position you will be able to remove ALL the retaining plate nuts ... Some of the other Bolt IN Axle (BIA) have on one or 3 access holes. ...you got it easy. Jim

 

Yeah I was happy to see the 4 hole. Now I just need to save up for that posi unit and I'm set!