Help ID rear end

I have this rear in my 70 GS 455. I cleaned all around the passenger side tube and all I found were numbers??? Anyone have an idea what this is?

 

1965 / 66 Buick 10 bolt 8.2 rear. Will use the same gears as al lthe early Olds Pontiac and Buick rears from 1964-1967 We call them P gears PONTIAC gears.

This rear has a different seal than the pontiac housing though taking a 8620 pinion seal. other than that all the parts are interchangeable. Bearing kits axle bearings will be rw507cr sealed bearing -UNLESS it is a 67 GS then you will have a RW507AG or other 'A' bearing larger inner bearing diameter(even I can not keep those odd ball sealed bearings straight...do not build enough of the GS and wagon rears... LOL) The wagons had larger inner and outer sealed bearing diameters in that era.

The bolt on spring with flat spring perch is a dead give away to a early 64 65 66 rear end in the A-body GM cars.

The single lower cast web is the BUICK trade mark casting.

TAke a file (fine tooth) and use it on the area where you see the number on the tube. See if you can not make out a 2 letter suffix code. Then we can tall you what the rear ORIGINALLY came with. you can open the rear cover and read the ring gear edge diameter for the part number of the ring gear and the tooth count of BOTH the ring and pinion and even get a year and month the ring and pinion were cast.

Good luck, Jim - J D Race.com

 

Thanks Jim - Is this an easier/better rear to rebulid and add posi to than the 68 - 70 8.2's? Sounds like the parts might be more available.

Also, do you know if the width the same as the 68-70 8.2's? I measured 60 inches at the brake drum face (where the wheel mounts).

- Bill

 

The rear will be a bunch more easy to find parts and they will be cheaper too.

The rear will be 1" narrower than your 68-70 and 71 -72 Jim

 

Bill,
Get the 8.5" rear from a 71-2 Cutlass/Skylark and build it with posi, 3.08-3.42 gears...much better rear and cheaper to build....Monzaz will confirm that fact.

 

I agree George - I wish I could. In fact I have a 3:08 8.5 posi sitting in the garage. My problem is the wheels and tires I am running just fit in the wheel well. They won't fit with the wider 8.5. The cost to change backspacing on the wheels will eat up any savings with the 8.5.

- Bill

- Bill

 

All depends on what your going to do with the car. If you are street bound it will hold and even some track time. The only think slightly more expensive are the gears rebuild kit posi unit etc are all about the same prices. Jim

It is more strength BUT AGAIN all depends on what you personally need to have to do the job.

 

Not to hijack this thread but I have a similar problem identifying a 12-bolt that is out of a 70 Cutlass. I have on found on code on the tube. 2RA. I don't think that has any meaning at all.

I want to know what it really is and then ditermine if it makes sense to rebuild it for use or swap meet duty. Thoughts.

 

well The suffix letter code being RA would be OPEN 2.78 OR R2 could be 2.56 Open...So either way if your not into freeway cruising the rear will be a dud for you in the light to light throttle.

Rear is Again fine for power...BUT the parts are hard to find and expensive. Jim

Gear sets are 300.00 posi 500.00. Then bearings, labor, axle bearings & Seals...Getting up there ...

 

Thanks for the heads up. Evergreen for SNCPE and I'm n Denver. Same third member. What a coincidence!!
Sounds like the Golden cruise is a place to meet this summer.