Looking for some advice on rear assembly options. 55 Olds 88 - would like to convert to posi & disc brakes. Custom made setups look to be in the $3K range. I was thinking a 57 Olds 88 rear (those had posi options), but think it might end up costing me almost as much to rebuild and add disc brakes? Is it possible to get these narrowed some to get a slightly larger wheel to fit? If so, were does one get that done properly? Are there other options/ideas out there? Thanks, Joe
'57-'58 Olds/Pontiac would a close bolt-in... not much to change. Not sure about the posi deal... I know they are available. A 9" would be the easiest but I would use an Olds, too. Why the need for rear disc?
There was a nice post that could be of uses; http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=579135&highlight=axle+rear+end+width
Thanks for the input guys. Krooser, I'm building a custom and wanted disc all the way around. Guess I could do drums if it makes like super easy or super cheap. I may spend some time studying the 57-58 OLDS Buick units. Joe
Go to the salvage and grab a Olds bravado rearend... I've found that the disc/posi rears are easy to come by!!!
A great trick for (most) rearends, especially if they need to be narrowed. Use aftermarket billet housing ends in a Ford Torino style pattern. Then you use a "Ford" axle with your particular spline (Moser and most other axle companies use this trick and will know what you need) and bolt circle and for under 500 bucks you have a housing with no c-clips new performance axles and a housing end that will accept any manner of Disc brake kits (the Currie SVO style kit is probably the cheapest and the Ford factory version can also be found in many junkyards on 96-2002 or later Explorer rear ends) Keep in mind when measuring that the Brake Space from the housing end to the mounting surface of the axle will be 2.5 inches if you use this method.
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