Technical Rear end for ‘51 chevy coupe

With the Olds swap, the closed driveline is getting the heave ho. Trans is a side shift Lasalle, what would a good rear end be for mainly street, I’d like to be as close to period correct as possible, I was thinking 57 Olds or Pontiac?


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I used a 77 Camaro with a 3. something gear. Mine already had the spring pads cut off, but I’ve heard the pads will line up with minimal work. You will have to recenter the axle if using stock springs. Measure first.

 

I run a '57 Pontiac rear axle in my '54 Chevy and it fits fine. If you use the stock springs, then the spring perches will need to be re-drilled to center the axle with the fender cutout.

 

s10 is what i used. Is anyone going to know if it's old or not? Or care?

 

I wonder if a S10 would handle the torque of the J2 Olds? Might, might not if you have a heavy foot.

 

It's held up to 300 hp 350.

 

a 57 Pontiac or Olds rear isn't going to be easy to find today.

 

5-7 Chevy fit like a glove. Redrill the spring bolt and it's done. Spider gears are the weak link in them. 8 inch Ford will fit nice also.

 

The Ford 9 inch rear axle would be another good choice. They were first offered in 1957 and found in Ranchero's. The '55-57 Chev rear axle that Moriarity mentioned was very popular for V8 swaps of all types. Good luck with your build. Sounds like a very cool project.

 

55-57 Chev fits great with a simple relocation of the centering pin hole. My 51 Canadian Pontiac (which is the same as a Chev underneath) has been running this setup since 1976. I did have custom ubolts made up.

 

I used an 8.5 inch chevy 10 bolt from 87' Monte Carlo SS, in my 1951 Chevy. It was a tad narrower than the stock rear, and let me run a 255/60 15 tire on a 15x8 wheel with 3.75 inch back spacing in.

 

S-10 4x4 rear is almost exactly the same width. Not same era, but an easy score. The Explorer rears are also similar in width and a bunch stronger, but need dual bolt pattern wheels or a re-drill.

 

Thanks for the responses, I’m going to take a trip to the salvage yard this weekend and see whats there, I wasnt sure what would fit underneath the car, now I know what to start looking for. I’ll post my what I (hopefully) bring home.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Avoid the fancy 4x4 S-10s (ZR-1?) as they are 4" wider. You are targeting 60" from wheel mounting face to wheel mounting face, or something close to that. The S-10 4x4 rear I used is 59 1/2". You can play with this depending on wheel and tire choices/offsets obviously, but 60" gets you in the ballpark of the OG rear. The Explorer rears are also just under 60" in my experience. Take a tape and some straight edges and double check us internet gurus!

Happy hunting!!

 

Early Nova or Camaro is another good fit. I have them under both of my cars. They came with 308s and I changed them to 373s. The 52 has a T-5 while the 51 has a 200 4R

 

I have one out of 96 jimmy under my 53 with a g80 locker works good


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

well here's an odd one that will bolt in. early 60's Mopar 8 3/4. I parted out a 53 chevy that had a BB Mopar and this 8 3/4. I ended up putting it in my 61 Dodge.... gives you the wrong bolt pattern though.

 

i keep this on my phone for junk yard trips


Sent from my iPad using H.A.M.B.

 

That’s pretty damn handy thanks, now its on my phone as well


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

4x4 s10
First and second gen camaro
55-57 Chevy
Grenadas ?? Weird yes
Explorer tears but then you get disc brakes
And a few others
Like has been stayed there are some Mopar axles that will fit also

 

Being around the 60 inches gives a lot of options. But a leaf spring car like 55-57 Chevy, 67-69 and 70-81 Camaro make it easier. As many suggested be aware the stock springs on your car have non centered pin. You can redrill the pads, or use lowering blocks with offset pin holes.

Sent from dumb operator on a smart phone

 

66 Nova L79 12 Bolt is best and hardest to find . I put a 66 Nova 10 bolt in a 49 Coupe , 8 in ralley fit like God made it to fit . They are getting a bit tough today also . Ford 8.8 is the next best thing today . Ranger is narrow and laters with discs .

 

Thats good to know thank you!


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

73 on 10 bolt GM; they have the same diameter pinion shaft as the 12 bolts, and you can actually still find them. Plenty strong, easy to find parts, right length if you go for the Camaro, Nova, Apollo, Omega; any of the X frame platform cars. With a big old Olds J-2, don't even think about the 4 X 4 S-10's, etc; they only have a 7.5" or so ring gear, and little pinion support. Tri-Five (what we used), or your 9.3" Olds/Pont ($$$). I am Butch/56sedeandelivery.

 

^^^^^^^what he said. That J2 is a torque monster. Not that the S10 won't work in most cases as many have them running around as seen but if you are going to do this why not do it right the first time and get the strongest rear you can.

 

Wow! That combination takes me back along time ago. The obvious rear end to use for that time period, would be 55-57 Chevy. As long as you don't run huge, sticky tires out back, it shouldn't be a problem. Good luck finding one for a reasonable price.

 

It looks like I’ll be picking up a Ford 9” this weekend. The best part is I’m getting it for $100.00. Wish me luck.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

good price. Big bearing or small? posi or one wheel peel?

 

Never was a specific 12 bolt for the L79 Novas.