I am using a '77 Camaro POSI rear. It went in easily and fits in the
stock location. The difference in width is small. I cut off the '77
mounts and welded on some caps from a trailer supply shop. I had
to allow for the non-square frame by pinching in the caps a bit. I
should have moved the axle back about 1 1/2" 'cause in the stock
location the axle/wheels look like they are in too far forward.
Anyway the later 8.5", 10 bolt, Camaro/Firebird axle works well
and is fair strong. I'm putting about 385-400hp through mine. I
have put in an after market "pumpkin" from Strange Engineering
which allowed a 3.42 ratio. The 12 bolt units, which are harder to
find, are said to be stronger but mine is holding up just fine.
Measure, measure, measure - weld. Make absolutely sure the
axle is straight or you will have steering and braking problems.
Lonnie
----- Original Message -----
From: J Forbes <jforbes@primenet.com>
To: Old Trucks List <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2000 9:05 PM
Subject: [oletrucks] 59 rearend
> I second what Mike said...the 70s Camaro/firebird 8.5" 10 bolt is close
> in width, and strong enough (they've been using 8.5" 10 bolts on most
> Chevy 1/2 ton trucks since the early-mid 1980s). Check the axles before
> you buy! they are often worn out...you need to pull them and inspect
> the bearing race area, if it's just lightly pitted you can use an axle
> saver bearing, if it's worn down, you need a good axle for it. The 2.73
> and 3.08 ratios are very common.
>
> The 7.5" rearend may hold up...I had one in my 39 Chevy car, behind a
> mild 350, it did ok. But, it is kind of wimpy...this design was
> originally used in the Monza behind a 4 cylinder.
>
> I don't need rear disks...in fact, I get by fine with 4 wheel drums!
> But, my wife's 99 Silverado sure stops nice with 4 wheel antilock disk
> brakes.
>
> Jim F
> 59s in AZ
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
>
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