rear end help

was at the local swap meet and bought what i think may be a 8.2 10 bolt out of a 69 olds 442 . it had the right gears .. but a open carrier .. what is the best alternative for the street as far as a posi .. or locker carrier ... also is an 8.2 a much weaker rear end than the 8.5 ? car has a 2:56 8.5 in it now going with 3:42 .. 8.2 ...?? it has 3/4"headed ring gear bolts . car is a convertible that will be a weekend cruiser/pot hole crusher/stop light dragger .

 

I know it's a bit late now, but I would've spent the money updating the 8.5". Tons of aftermarket support for it compared to the 8.2", and stronger to boot.

Devon

 

it may be best for me to look for a used carrier then ?

 

i replied this to another user but my opinion:

A lot of folks run the 8.2 posi and beef it up by adding stronger axles plus a T/A girdle cover. You could put on some C clip eliminators if you feel necessary but depending on the rear braking system if upgraded my not allow the eliminators.. 3:42 posi is well within the range of the 8.2 carrier.
You would be surprised what they can handle plus now you have the housing....

Google 8.2 rearend and horsepower and you will see alot of info/conversations regarding this..

Just a thought if your not running on the strip with slicks and pushing over 450 hp to the rear wheels.

Dan C.
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8.2 .. bolt in axle rear end... engine basic 70 455in a 73 block with 268 cam / headers / performer .. 295 50 bf goodrich tires

 

hmm, big block = serious foot lbs torque -
Do some research to see if anyone is running a similar setup ..

bolt on axles certainely will help with the strength:3gears:

dan c .

 

is anyone running one of the power loks ... or other systems that slide into the open carrier replacing the spider gears .. found them by searching the internet looks like there are not cheap .. but i wouldn't have to buy new bearings and other set up costs .. ??

 

When I was shopping for rearend ideas I too considered the PowerLock but after reading online and hearing that it was noisy and sometimes would engage going around a tight turn I decided not to use.. Wound up changing the carrier and going with a rebuilt Eaton posi unit with 3:73 Standard Gears, heavier axles, new bearings and shims and T/A girdle cover with cap bolts by AR for strength.

Dan C.

 

I'm no expert but i would think it all depends on what you are going to put in it. You can also look at it like this the 8.2 may be smaller but it takes a little less power to get a smaller rear end going then it does a bigger one.

 

i wonder if i bought a power trax ... if i could buy it for the 8.5 and use my 8.5 axles in the 8.2 housing / gears / open carrier .. into 8.5 power lok ?? .. it sure is a nice set of 3:42 gears ??

 

Ok .. i bought a 10 bolt 4:56 geared 73 Camaro rearend with a 410409 posi unit in it ..cheap ..and it has the spacer set in it already ... question... where does a person buy spider gears for that unit ..it has a pair of teeth blown off of each side (idler ) spiders. any idea of aproximate cost ?

going to just leave the 2:56 in and just make them both turn :TU:

 

Clutches and spider gears are no longer made for that posi. That's why it was so cheap. You can go used but you are better of getting a new posi unit and use your 8.5 rear.
A good factory 3.42 8.5" ring and pinion can be bought on ebay for $50-$75. If your axles are stock you will need a 28 spline 8.5 carrier. The Eatons are rebuildable and work real good for a street/strip car.
Ray

 

Can you show pictures of the 8.2 rear olds 69??? If it is a PONTIAC casting then I have a deal for you on a power trax NO SLIP . A customer wants to get rid of a NEW power trax But opened the box and NOW they can not return it back for a refund. IT IS NEW NEVER RUN with all parts and instructions.

PM if interested and will get you a email address to send pictures for ID This would solve your problems and the other guys problem too. JIm:TU:

330 659 7117

 

Have you actually determined that you have a 8.2? Was thumbing through some literature and it stated that the 8.2 would have 3/8" diameter RIGHT hand threaded bolts on the ring gear(whatever that equates to as far as socket size is concerned). The 8.5 would have 7/16" diameter LEFT hand threaded bolts on the ring gear. HTH

 

1964-1967 are 3/8 right hand thread with 11/16 hex head. The 1968-1972 pontiac Buick And olds 12 bolt will have left hand thread bolt and a 3/4" hex head. NOW the 12 bolt olds in 67 68 can have right hand thread bolt 7/16 also. AND the Pontiac A-body sometimes had 3/8 right hand thread bolt till late 69ish....
So yes we really need the pictures to determine which rear and make and model it is for YOU and us to help and figure what parts are available upon the rear diff you have. JUST because it has a scalloped cover DOES NOT mean it is a pontiac plan and simple.... 68-70 every GM Division did crazy stuff with the differentials.

Take care, Jim

 

i will get the numbers off the rear end when i get home tonight ... the 3:42 rearend has 12 cover bolts , circular with no cutouts and, 10 3/4" headed ring gear bolts

 

where are the numberson the rear end located at ?

 

code TM...