Factory C-clip delete

[383_GrandPrix]

I now have 2, gm 8.5 10 bolt rear ends. The first diff is and Olds 8.5 with the bolt on axle retention rather then the C-clips and the second is a chev 8.5 with the C-clips. My dilemma is that the Olds has 2.56 gears and an open carrier, where as the chev has a posi and 4.10s.... I want the best of both worlds. What is my best option, do I move the gears and carrier over from the chev to the Olds, or do I take the axles and axle tubes from the Olds and move them to the Chev?

 

[lilbowtie]

What ever works best for you as long as they are the same size rears.

 

[383_GrandPrix]

they're both A body rears, I had them next to each other yesterday and I'm 95% sure they're the same size without measuring everything.

 

[pontiacgp]

The Chevy A body 10 bolt rear end is an 8.2, the 12 bolt rear end is an 8.875"

 

[lilbowtie]

You can find a 10-bolt 8.5-inch differential in any of these cars or trucks:



1971-'76 Chevrolet full-size cars
1994-'96 Impala
1971-'81 Buick full-size cars
1973-'77 Buick Gran Sport
1972-'77 Pontiac GTO and Le Mans
1970-'81 Chevy Camaro and Z28
1970-'81 Pontiac Firebird
1971-'77 Olds Cutlass and F-85 and Pontiac Grand Prix
1971-'79 Chevy II, Nova, Buick Skylark and Olds Omega
1973-'77 Chevelle, Malibu and El Camino
1971-'77 Pontiac Ventura and Phoenix
1971-'81 Pontiac Bonneville
1973-'77 Monte Carlo
1973-'77 Buick Apollo, Regal and Century
1980-'94 Chevy ½-ton and ¾-ton pickups
1977-'94 GMC Jimmy and Chevy Blazer

 

[383_GrandPrix]

They are both 8.5's I can guarantee it (I was a good little boy and did my home work). The first one I got was pulled from an Olds cutlass (73-74 I think) and was in the car when I found it. The second one supposedly came out of a 75-77 Monte Carlo, but it was not in the car when I got it so I can't confirm. I've pulled the cover on both and they are 8.5's. I'll post some pics...

 

[UNGN]

What motor, what transmission? That usually determines the gears.

4.11 gears are dumb unless you have 28" tall drag tires and 2.56 gears are dumb unless you want to cruise at 160 mph.

With Forged axles, you can go pretty fast before you have to worry about the C-clips.

 

[pontiacgp]

75-77 Monte Carlo

that is a B body

 

[pontiacgp]

You can find a 10-bolt 8.5-inch differential in any of these cars or trucks:



1971-'76 Chevrolet full-size cars
1994-'96 Impala
1971-'81 Buick full-size cars
1973-'77 Buick Gran Sport
1972-'77 Pontiac GTO and Le Mans
1970-'81 Chevy Camaro and Z28
1970-'81 Pontiac Firebird
1971-'77 Olds Cutlass and F-85 and Pontiac Grand Prix
1971-'79 Chevy II, Nova, Buick Skylark and Olds Omega
1973-'77 Chevelle, Malibu and El Camino
1971-'77 Pontiac Ventura and Phoenix
1971-'81 Pontiac Bonneville
1973-'77 Monte Carlo
1973-'77 Buick Apollo, Regal and Century
1980-'94 Chevy ½-ton and ¾-ton pickups
1977-'94 GMC Jimmy and Chevy Blazer

You can find a 10-bolt 8.5-inch differential in any of these cars or trucks:



1971-'76 Chevrolet full-size cars
1994-'96 Impala
1971-'81 Buick full-size cars
1973-'77 Buick Gran Sport
1972-'77 Pontiac GTO and Le Mans
1970-'81 Chevy Camaro and Z28
1970-'81 Pontiac Firebird
1971-'77 Olds Cutlass and F-85 and Pontiac Grand Prix
1971-'79 Chevy II, Nova, Buick Skylark and Olds Omega
1973-'77 Chevelle, Malibu and El Camino
1971-'77 Pontiac Ventura and Phoenix
1971-'81 Pontiac Bonneville
1973-'77 Monte Carlo
1973-'77 Buick Apollo, Regal and Century
1980-'94 Chevy ½-ton and ¾-ton pickups
1977-'94 GMC Jimmy and Chevy Blazer

I saw that list too but some of them are B bodies and the A bodies listed were definitely larger than the 64 to 72 A bodies so I think the rear would be too wide. If they did fit there would be alot more 8.5" to choose from

 

[lilbowtie]

Pontiacgp - I have no idea what he is putting it in. The 73-74 Cutlass to 75-77 Monte might be a problem- measure closely, I don't know why but 3/4 inch dif sticks in my head