Hello Everyone... I need some of your experienced advice. I'm rebuilding a '53 bel air 2dr coupe. The differential in it was completely locked up when I started the tear down process. Initially I was going to put a completely different rear end in, but someone told me that the differential on the bel air is the one people usually look for and that I just need to change the ring gear to a better ratio. To give you an idea, I'm going with a 383 and a ****** from a camaro. any recomendations or advice?
If you are changing to a late style trans then you will need a newer axle. Some of the GM guys onboard should have interchange info on their lips, if not, start looking at what you have available then compare outside measurements to face of drum/rotor. Spring perches can be moved - removed - replaced, new pieces are available.
Does the car have it's original closed driveline rearend in it still? or has it been replaced with a desireable rear? (the reason I ask is because years ago I got a 50 chevy that had an Olds rear under it, you never know!)
I think it has the original. The drive shaft goes all the way inside the housing, and doesn't connect outside, but I don't know what the original looks like to be able to tell you
Edit- just saw the location What do you have for parts availability? You need something strong to survive behind that engine, and something newer because of the transmission pushing you to an open driveline conversion. good luck
Pretty much eveything is available, and I can order it from anywhere in the US, I have a shipping agent that can bring it to me I have a complete rear end from a 78 caprice that I'm thinking of using. It's a really strong one that a majority of the people use here on street-strip cars, but I was thinking of buying a complete rear-end setup with suspension and everything. What do you think?
The easy way would be to mount the caprice axle on the existing leaf springs, ***uming that the overall width is similar to the 53. Clean off the various brackerty that exists and weld on new spring perch pads. The stock caprice driveline may even be usable.
I think that's the way I'm going to go. I got some prices for a new rear and front end... pretty expensive. Thanks
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