I purchased a 1964 Oldsmobile Cutl*** F-85 to bang around in and so far replaced everything except the rear. Well I blew up the rear last weekend. I would love to put a ford 9" back there with some disc brakes, but I cant justify dropping $3000 more on this car! What do you guys suggest I can put back there that isn't going to break the bank? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I'd start by getting a range of what widths would work. I paid 300 for a 93 formula firebird with disks and posi, even got the master cylinder ***embly. shouldn't be a real expensive project for a daily driver.
Any 64-72 A-body rear will bolt in. I like the 71-72 8.5 in the Cutl*** and Skylark. GM used the 8.5 through at least the 80s so the only part tough to find is the housing and axles. 12 bolt Chevy's are a little pricey. Cutl*** 66-up will be a touch wider, like just a 1/4 inch per side, a Chevelle, same rule but 68 up.
I have a Ford 9 from a 68 Cougar in my 67 Cutl***. I race it, works great. But a lot of work if you just want a cruiser.
no way!! $1,000+++ to rebuild one of these rear ends. every rear end i found that would bolt under my '65 cutl*** was $300 and they were shot! best thing i can tell you is that they are out there! I found a 12 bolt "O" for $25 thats a bolt and go!! What i did was tourch off the olds mounts and cleaned them up...used a '61 ford 9" i brought it to a dirt track ch***is shop. they had a "jig". $50 and a 1/2 hour latter and i was down the road after watching, I'm sure i can do the next one. the mounts TAP on with a hamber TIGHT and don't move!! the top links weld to a ford nice, unlike the cast of a GM rearend. note: the ford is off set
Can't believe it costs that much to rebuild. I bought crown gear and pinion, installation kit (bearings bolts etc) from Motion a year or so ago and it was around $300 for everything. The only other parts you might need would be wheel bearings and brakes.
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