8.5 rear end restore disc brakes

[Crazy4elkys]

I picked up a 8.5 GN rear end a few weeks back. I plan on putting it in a 86 ss el camino after restoring it.
Some upgrades will include posi carrier from Yukon, c5 corvette disk brakes, maby new axles. Depends on the GN axles, if they are strong enough. 342 gears.
I looked around the shop to find a cheap way to mount the axle on for the restore. I think I nailed it for no cash.
I picked up some rust remover from one of my customers whom I work on their forklifts. I'll post picks after using this product.

 

[1KWIKSIX]

Good Luck with your project. I started out trying to wire wheel and use rust remover on mine and eventually gave up. Sent it out for media blasting with aluminum oxide....best $40 I ever spent! Did a great job and it was painless. Used Eastwood's Rust Encapsulator as a primer and few coats of Eastwood Satin Chassis Black with a spray gun. Turned out great.

 

[Crazy4elkys]

these pics of the chemical stripper

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[Crazy4elkys]

 

[Crazy4elkys]

The last pics are after glass bead blasting

 

[ssn696]

Nice work. The advantage over sandblasting is that you are removing less metal. Here's a tip: if/when you replace the bushings, cut two pieces of 1-1/2" angle iron and insert them around the bushing when pressing them out, so you don't collapse the end up.

 

[1bad79]

I put the same axle in my 79 cutlass I used 98-02 camaro brakes on mine worked out great. I have a sand blaster so I just blasted it, I have the factory carrier,posi 3.42 gear and factory axles, so far so good

 

[ssn696]

I had a place sandblast my 8.5, then I thoroughly cleaned it up before going inside. Hit it with a phosphate treatment then primed and painted as usual. That will lock up small pockets of rust that are missed.
I put some detail into the LS1 brake conversion - there's a link on my profile. You are lucky to find one of these. IF you will spend the money on new, consider upgrading to 30-spline. I used posi for a 90-up (?) 8.5 truck axle and it slipped in just fine. Moser makes 30-spline upgrade axle shafts.

 

[64nailhead]

OP - you mentioned a potential axle swap. Keep in mind that the stockers will withstand the stock GN/GNX power and torque, which was relatively stout. But I have to admit that those 28 spline axles DO NOT look very tough. I did the same as ssn696 did, swapped in a GM truck style 8.6" posi unit with 30 spline Mosers. The Mosers are way tougher than the stockers and the comparison between the stock 28 spline vs the 30 spline Mosers is night and day. How much power are you putting through it? If 300-500 HP, then I'd stick with the 28 spline and swap to a set of Mosers if the funds allowed.

I had a place sandblast my 8.5, then I thoroughly cleaned it up before going inside. Hit it with a phosphate treatment then primed and painted as usual. That will lock up small pockets of rust that are missed.
I put some detail into the LS1 brake conversion - there's a link on my profile. You are lucky to find one of these. IF you will spend the money on new, consider upgrading to 30-spline. I used posi for a 90-up (?) 8.5 truck axle and it slipped in just fine. Moser makes 30-spline upgrade axle shafts.

What size wheels can you use with the LS1 brake upgrade? I ask as we are currently on an 8.5 with drums, but we need to be able to put a 275 15" drag radial on when at the strip. We just, literally yesterday, finished swapping to C5's on the front and my son was already onto what needs to be done to get the rears swapped to disc. Personally, I'm not really pushing for the rear discs, I would like to see how much of an improvement the C5 fronts are before messing with the rears. But looking for info (research )

 

[Crazy4elkys]

Thanks for the replies, if I use a posi out of a second gen camaro I have, I may keep the 28 spline. If one of the 2 cars I have for sale, sales I will buy new 30s with the posi carrier.