8.5 Corporate 10 bolt from 76 regal to our G cars???

[KrisW]

I have been searching around and reading about this swap. Does anyone know if the axle width is similar??

I guess I need some South Side Machine adapters? Why?

Thanks for the help guys!

If I had both cars here, I'd probably measure everything first. I'm in the process of hunting down another 78-88 G car (for as close to nothing as possible) to transplant my good drivetrain (or parts, thereof) to.

My Cutlass is at my sister's in OH so I can't measure it now...

Thanks guys!!

 

[ryanwitski]

Well the only real perfect bolt up is the Grand National. Way too expensive and hard to find.

Now the A body (chevelle. elky) will fit but it's approx. one inch longer on each side. And get the 10 bolt not the twelve. You need the adjustable upper control arms to make sure the driveshaft and rear end line up right.

 

[KrisW]

I don't really understand the upper control arm thing. Adjustable?

I was cruising Summit and Jeg's last night but I couldn't find them.

Anyone know where to get them?

I have a good 10 bolt from a 76 A body.

 

[Furtrader]

Well the only real perfect bolt up is the Grand National. Way too expensive and hard to find.

The 8.5 rear end came in the Grand National with a 3.42:1 gear.
It was in the 1984 Hurst/Olds(note-the '83 H/O had the 7.5),and the 1985-87 442s.The Olds came with a 3.73:1 gear.
They are out there.Surf GN and Olds forums.Expect to pay anywhere around $800-$1000.As well,posi was optional.

 

[KrisW]

That's too much for my budget on these cars. I have a 10 bolt already from my 76 Regal; I just want to know how to properly make it fit.

I will tear it apart, measure everything, and narrow it to fit. I am just trying to get any necessary pieces before I pull my Cutlass or next G-body axle. I don't want the car sitting with no axle in it for a long time.

 

[CutMonRegMan]

The 8.5 rear end came in the Grand National with a 3.42:1 gear.
It was in the 1984 Hurst/Olds(note-the '83 H/O had the 7.5),and the 1985-87 442s.The Olds came with a 3.73:1 gear.
quote]
What about the 84-87monte carlo ss? does it have a 8.5 3:73:1 also I see alot more of those around may be easier to find than the 442 or GN

 

[Furtrader]

What about the 84-87monte carlo ss? does it have a 8.5 3:73:1 also I see alot more of those around may be easier to find than the 442 or GN

The Monte Carlo SSs all had the 7.5 rear.Why?you'd have to ask GM.

 

[joe_padavano]

The A-body axles are NOT a direct fit. Not only is the width different, but the angle of the control arm attachment is different. If you try to install one of these with stock control arms the suspension will bind. The Southside arms have ball joints in them to avoid the binding. The 73-77 axles are even wider than the 68-72 axles. And both 10 and 12 bolt axles were available in A-body cars. Be aware that restorers have sent prices of these units past the moon. It's cheaper to get a brand new G-body specific 9" axle than a rebuilt A-body 12 bolt.

 

[KrisW]

I'll be looking for those south side control arms. I can narrow the axle myself.

Thanks for the info!

 

[megaladon6]

I can narrow the axle myself

i guessing that you can weld. one thing you can do is get a non g-body 8.5 rear (they're dirt cheap) and weld on the brackets and spring perches.