Hot Rods T Bucker rear end

Okay, well from everyone's knowledge yesterday we determined that I had Mopar front spindles I believe. Now today hopefully this will be an easy one. If I am right, I believe I have a GM rear end on this T bucket. The wheels are 5 x 4 3/4 inch. Also, the number on the outside of the drum is BD 88390 and it says 242.52MM. It is a bolt cover as you can see in the picture. So, am I correct about it being a GM?

 

GM 10 bolt… gears up to 2.29 on the high end. Looks like my old Chevelle brake drum. I think someone made a fake quick change rear cover.

 

I was thinking the same thing. I do know the cover was painted. This has been real challenging figuring this T bucket out. Redone most of the wiring and hopefully got the engine running smooth. Haven't really been out in it enough to tell. Hoping one day to get it all straightened out to be able to enjoy it a lot. The person I bought it from had no information about it so I can't blame him. Just trying to stay positive.

 

Check the front side of the p***enger side axle tube for the axle serial number. Looks like a 7.5” 10 bolt rear

 

Also, a photo of how the backing plate attaches to the axle tube would help nail it down......especially if my inclination is correct that it might be a S-10 rearend. The 2WD S-10 rearends are pretty narrow at about 54" from wheel mount surface to wheel mount surface.

Lynn

 

That's a perfectly acceptable rear end for a T-Bucket, plenty strong and mostly easy to get parts for. Try to find the I.D. number that 31Apickup mentioned, it will help if you need parts.

 

Thank you very much to everyone who has replied. Seems to be doing fine, but tomorrow I am going to check for the ID number, and I will also measure it as mentioned above. This site has helped me out as a newcomer to these types of vehicles.

 

IIRC the early s10 used one width for 2wd ,one for 4wd , something about pickups & blazers being different ??

 

Going by the rear cover you have an 8.5 inch 10 bolt rear. Most likely out of an s10 or s10 blazer. It could be a an early 8.5 out of a 70s nova and depending it could be an 8.2 rear from an early nova or camaro. If it was from a Monte Carlo or G body GM from the 80s it would have upper control arm mounts on the center section or what was left of them after someone cut them off. I’ve done that before. I’d look for a number on The wheel cylinder and go to a Napa to try and cross reference it or sometimes you can look the number up on Rock Autos web site and figure out the application there.

 

Two wheel drive S10 pickup and Blazer are 54''. The four wheel drive are 60". Some S10s came with manual brakes which have a bigger bore wheel cylinder.

 

There are a number of how to ID your 10 bolt rear end thingies on the net. This one being one that actually has info https://www.chevydiy.com/history-and-identification-of-chevy-10-and-12-bolt-chevy-differentials/

The casting number on the drivers side front of the housing can be chased down as can the stamped number on the front side of the right side axle.

 

If you have the s10 rear axle (it appears you do), check if the wheel cylinders are retained by clips (not bolts). If so, check if the wheel cylinders have any slop in them where the connect at the backing plate...i.e. can they slightly be rotated or wiggled loose (with the drum off try to move them around). Again if so, the backing plates may be worn or corroded beyond proper service life. I just went through a similar experience on my '32. Dorman makes a better/thicker replacement backing plate, part #13867 (you need 2 of this part number) or #924220 (which come as a pair, so you only need one)...I bought mine from Amazon, but Rock Auto or many other suppliers have them and they are reasonably priced.

Then, the next thing you need to verify, is the diameter of your wheel cylinder bore. Some of the s10 power brake trucks got a 3/4" diameter wheel cylinder. I had them on my car and couldn't generate enough braking to lock the rear wheels in a panic stop. They can be replaced with 7/8" diameter wheel cylinders from a manual brake s10 (Raybestos part # WC370267 or equivalent). This combo worked well for me and my car.

Good luck and keep us posted