Hey guys, What would be a good rear end to swap in to my 51 chev? I heard 71 to 81 camaros are a good donor....any thing else a direct fit as far as length goes? Thanks Will
Will, S-10/Blazer 4X4 will fit. It is 60" hub to hub and probably alot easier to find than a 2nd generation Camaro. Todd
Ya, that's the only reason Im doing it, no probelms with what it has, but I'm thinking future mods would be easier with a open drive line....
60" is about ideal...I'm running a '78 Camaro rear and the tires barely fit. I'm going to have to cut out the inner lip of my skirts a little 'cause they rub on the tires. Check this link for common rear-end widths http://carnut.com/specs/frear.html Bryan
powerglide rearends right? they have 3:55's. I wouldn't mind making that swap too. wont be able to peel out anymore though...
had one with a 74 camaro rear and couldn't run my skirts with my aftermarket chrome wheels... may have worked with the 5" stockers. my new 49 has a 65 nova 10 bolt rear. it is a bit narrower at 58" rim to rim. 65 - 67 nova. 67 - 69 camaro are all the same I think... not sure if the 63 64 nova rears had 5 nuts or not... but it would be another to consider, though they are the early 55-57 style rear.
hmmm looking at the chart from above it appears 67 69 camaro rears are 60". I like my 58" nova rear since I'm running 14 x 7 american 5 spokes
Lots of choices fit, 55-57 Chevy, 55-57 Pontiac or Olds (different bolt pattern), 67-81 Camaro, 74-79 Nova/Ventura/Apollo/Omega, and 82-up S10 4x4. A lot of these need the holes for the locating pin moved if you use the stock springs. The stock springs are designed for a closed drive, so you'll get wheel hop without some kind of traction bars. Posies makes replacement springs and someone else makes a kit that changes the spring perches and everything - Heck, if you poke around you can probably find a 53-4 PG car rear for free. Those and the 5-6-7 Chev rear all use the same brakes, so you could swap your existing parts over if they're good enough. I have a '55 rear I'd let go of for like $100 - and that only because it's still in the car, a 265 PG car - about 3 hours down the Thruway from you -
Thanks for the info guys, and rustynewyorker, if my line on a s10 rear doesn't work out..Ill pm ya about the 55 rear....
Yeah, and 53-54 manual trans cars had 3.70 gears, so they were also good and better than the 4.11s of the 49-52 cars
Hello, new here & worken on a 52 deluxe (with closed drive) I don't like the high rpms. either so let me know what u decide is the best. Mabey I'll try it also . Running a 235 fresh rebuilt & still thinking of trans ??
The Nova rearend fits perfect. I have one in mine and it fits perfect with stock rims, and I could go a little wider.
Dare I suggest Granada? Proper width, easy gear ratio swaps. And when you upgrade to Mustang II front suspension, your bolt pattern will match http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/tinmann/August5th033.jpg
S10 rear,s come in several width,s and a lot of them come out of vehicles with overdrive you could end up with a really low gear.
I also have a 52 DeLuxe, but I scored a complete powerglide rear end for mine, I think you can get a ring & pinion set from Patricks that will give you a better rear ratio as well. The 53-54 rear ends & PG rear should go right in, if you want to keep a closed drive. I'm trying to keep mine as trad as possible so I'm sticking to the torque tube.
I just installed a 79 camaro rear in my 54. I bought it at my local U-pull for $36. I measured the widths before I installed it. The camaro was 1/2" wider than the stock rear. I keep hearing they are 2.5" wider? The 54 was 60.75" wide with drums. the camaro was 61.25" with drums. The springs line right up. Definately the easiest rear end to use. Check your local craigslist or car-part.com There are still lots of these rears for sale. S-10 have the 7.5 ring and pinion. Not good for lots of power. Camaro is 8.5.
Will, You live in the rust belt like I do. It may be tough to find a 2nd gen. Camaro. I called all my local scrap yards and they laughed at me. The S-10/Blazer 4X4 was a easy find. Do a google or Yahoo search for "Chevy Rear end codes" The one I wanted was 3.43 reaer which was code GU6. You can find the codes on a sticker in the glove box. Todd
I see that you posted this on 09-12-2006, did you find a rear yet? I have a chevy 10 bolt rear, I believe its out of a nova but not sure. It measures 60" flange to flange and has a 5x4.75 bolt pattern. $150 and its yours. I live in belvidere, nj 07823 Email me at crazycory@lycos.com if your interested.
Crazycory, I haven't found one yet, although I haven't looked to hard, a zillion other things going on... I would be interested in what ya got, just don't want to pick it up...interested in shipping it?
Sorry I just realized you replyed to my post. Sorry I sold that rear. Hope you found one and are working one your project.
hey sinner did you find on yet just curious to see what you used and how it worked i just put a 59 235 in my 53 and i hate it so im going to driveit into the ground and in the meantime look for parts to do a sbc conversion i read somewhere (thinkin it was 50chevy.com) that a 57 chevy rear will bolt right in on the old springs with no mods (i just so happen to know where there is a 57 chevy wagon i can get it outta) is this true guys ?
Hey Saoutlaws Gotti, I had my buddy build me one using a ford 9".. Ill be four linking so I figured I might as well go new... Plus he owed me favors...so Im not gonna complain As far as the 57 goes, not sure if the wagon is the same...
I have a '74 nova 10 bolt, works great, great clearance. Something like 58 or 59". I bought the Chassis Eng. rear springs kit for about 400 and it was great. Stiff ride though. For stock springs, PM Fat Hack, he did a great post on how exactly to do this swap with the stock springs, including measurements. I searched for it but couldn't find it. A '57 rear would be great, it's practically a bolt-in. Is '55 the same?
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