I have a 71 nova rearend in(or now out of) my 69 camaro with a 8.5 ring gear.
I have a line on a 10 bolt rear out of a "non-stock" 68 chevelle with a posi unit & the gears I am looking for.
If the rearend is newer (8.5 ring) I could swap gears.
Is there any way of telling if it is a 8.5 without running the numbers or tearing it apart?
I haven't bought it yet,& wont if it is a 8.2. I don't know if the owner will let me tear it apart just to find out.
Is there any of telling just by looking? Thanks...Tom

this site has a lot of info on nova rears
http://www.novaresource.org/axle.htm hope this helps
Nick

Nick...
Thanks,I was wondering if there is a fail safe way of visually telling the differance between the 8.2 & the 8.5 rearends.
I will check the nova site.
If any one knows a quick easy way...Please let me know.
Thanks again...Tom

Nick... thanks again.This info might just do it!
Thankyou for your time...Tom

Nick...
Thanks,I was wondering if there is a fail safe way of visually telling the differance between the 8.2 & the 8.5 rearends.
I will check the nova site.
If any one knows a quick easy way...Please let me know.
Thanks again...Tom

The quick and easy way is to click on the link and look at the pictures.

the 8.5 has the "ears" on the bottom on the pumpkin, where the 8.2 is round.
the 8.5 pumpkin also looks a lot beefier than the 8.2.
i highly doubt that the 68 has an 8.5 in it- if it does, it's the BOP rear with pressed on bearings and (i think) 12 bolt cover.

The quick and easy way is to click on the link and look at the pictures.

Yes!
You are right...I commonily put the cart before the horse...I should have clicked on the site in the first place.
I humbily apoligize...Tom:sad:

I also apoligize for my spelling!)

And watch the looks of the rears b/c there are BIG ears and little ears rearends running around out there.

I think the BIG ear'd ones are the 8.5 jobbers that you can spot about as well as the two flat bottom bolts that the 12-bolts have from say 30 to 40 feet..

pdq67

The owner of this rearend just called me up with the casting number:
3917126 NF on one side & GM on the other side of the cast center.
He said it's grimey & hasn't found the stamped id number yet.
Does this casting number mean anything?
Thanks...Tom

The 8.2 and 8.5 can both use the same cover, so don't judge it by it's cover. I have seen several 8.2s with the 8.5 cover on them. The 8.2 has a 1 1/8 pinion nut and the 8.5 has a 1 1/4 pinion nut.

Is there any way an 8.2 would have those ears? I have a 68 with a 10-bolt. And it does have ears.

Is there any way an 8.2 would have those ears? I have a 68 with a 10-bolt. And it does have ears.

If it has the square protrusions at the bottom it's an 8.5". Measure the pinion nut and you'll find that it's 1-1/4".

If it's a stock 71 Nova rear it's an 8.2 (I have one in my car now...71 Nova rear).
Squid, yes they're the little ears PDQ was talking about (same thing here and was happy till found out it wasn't an 8.5).

If it's a stock 71 Nova rear it's an 8.2 (I have one in my car now...71 Nova rear).
Squid, yes they're the little ears PDQ was talking about (same thing here and was happy till found out it wasn't an 8.5).

It's defenitly a 8.5 with the big square lugs on the bottom & a 1.25 pinion nut.I asked about it's id on team camaro about a week or two & I thought it came out to be a 71,but it could have been a 72.
The 70s were good to me & takeing their toll on my memroy these days!

Not lugs, --- EARS!!

He, He!!

I really like THAT term...

He, He!! Good one that old dumb-as- me can relate to!!

pdq67