I wanted to know if a 1968 Nova rear end would fit under a 1957 chevy truck...AND when I put my new axle in OVeR my rear leaves, can I turn the housing over so that my leaf mounts can be used?
Hey dude, If you will measure from center bolt to center bolt on your leaf springs, then measure from center to center on the housing spring perches that will give you your answer. If you need the dimension on the housing, let me know and I will measure one for you!
I put a 70 chevelle axle under my 56. You have to cut off the old spring mounts and notch the frame. Most truck shops sell flip kits and notch kits. It lowers it about five inches. I also added some lowering shackles dropped another inch or so... Hope this helps..
Got the measuring portion down, I will check on that. I guess I dont really need to go 50 MPH Backwards. I am not ready to notch yet. This one is going to be my driver. Thank you all for the quick responses. Jr
62-67 are a couple of inches narrower than later years, the narrowest 60s-70s diff that GM produced, (though the solid axle vette was the same width too I think) 62-63 are 4 lug with the older pumpkin style workings, 64-67 are 5 lug 8.2" 10 bolt with a rear cover. There were some 12 bolts made too, but those are relatively rare, and go for big $$. The 68-77 ones are all the same width, they're all 5 lug, and there's a mix of 10 bolt 8.2, 12 bolt, and later 8.5" 10 bolt. More than you wanted to know about Nova rears: http://www.novaresource.org/axle.htm
There was an article some years back in one of the Muscle Car mags that talked about using Blazer 8.8's to replace the '68-'74 Nova rear- I wish I could find the issue! You might want to look into that swap, as the 8.8 was touted as being a better rear.
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