Hi guys, I've been reading on the board about swapping '70-'74 Nova rearends with the 8.5" ring gear into 1st Gen Camaros. I've found dozens of these rears on the internet, my question is: Did all '70-'74 Novas have the big 10 bolt, or just the V-8's? Are the other X-body rears also swappable? (Omegas, Venturas etc.)

I believe those years are wider than yours, but can be used. I have an article in a magazine about the olds & Pontiac apps. I'll dig it up and get back to you.
JR

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'79 Camaro
'95 Z-28
'96 Harley BadBoy

Mark, I have a 72 Nova 8.5 posi rear in my 69 now. No problems fitting except for the driveshaft may need to be shortened. I'm going back to a original 8.2, so mine will be out there in a year or so http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif Kevin

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69' SS-350 ragtop, M20, 3.55 posi. Totally Disassembled & in boxes (I'm working on it!)
69' Hugger Orange Z-21 ragtop 327/PG, Driver

The '68 to '74 X body's share the same frame as the 1st Gen Camaros thus they're the exact same width and are bolt-ins.

I believe the 8.5" rearends started in 1970 for Camaros but Novas didn't get them until 1971.

I'd verify that the ring gears were 3/4" for an 8.5" rearend before I plunked my money down. You should be able to find the rearend in the boneyard locally no problem to save yourself the shipping costs and inflated prices of Ebay. Just my 2 cents. Jon

I believe those years are wider than yours, but can be used. I have an article in a magazine about the olds & Pontiac apps. I'll dig it up and get back to you.
JR

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'79 Camaro
'95 Z-28
'96 Harley BadBoy

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KevinW:
Mark, I have a 72 Nova 8.5 posi rear in my 69 now. No problems fitting except for the driveshaft may need to be shortened. I'm going back to a original 8.2, so mine will be out there in a year or so http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif Kevin

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Kevin
Are you going back to the 8.2 just to keep the car original or is there some other reason that those considering the Nova swap might not be aware of?
PS..what gear do you have in the 8.5?

I emailed you a nice article on the exact swap you are talking about. It may take awhile to open, there are 4 pages in the article. Hope it helps. Good luck.

69er

Mark, I'm going back to the 8.2 for originality. My 327/PG is a matching number car, except for the rear being swapped by previous owner (original rear is gone). I found a perfect date coded rear for the car, so I'm going to put that in. (compliments to a Team Camaro member!)

I'm pretty sure the original rear was a 2.73, cause the 8.5 was put in for more accel, but it is a 3.08 posi, so the added accel is not that much. The 8.5 runs fine, except for some leaky axle seals (very little, enough to make the brake dust stick). Can't really tell the posi condition, not enough HP to make make some burnouts http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif

The 8.2 I'm putting in is coded as an 2.73 open like the original, but I'm going to put in 3.36 posi. Hopefully provided by big gear head (He is getting me prices).

I also made some brackets to run multi leafs, since I will be going back to monos, the springs and brackets will be going with the rear.

I see your in NY, a couple hours away. Were you interested in the rear? Kevin



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69' SS-350 ragtop, M20, 3.55 posi. Totally Disassembled & in boxes (I'm working on it!)
69' Hugger Orange Z-21 ragtop 327/PG, Driver

Kevin,
Yes I am in the market for an 8.5. I'm hoping to get lucky and find one already setup with a posi and 3.42 gears. I will probably end up buying a rear and then putting in 3.42s though.

mine's close, but no cigar! If it had 3.42, I would have a tough decision about putting the 8.2 back in. Since I've got to put gears and work into a rear, I'll go back to the 8.2. Good luck, Kevin

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69' SS-350 ragtop, M20, 3.55 posi. Totally Disassembled & in boxes (I'm working on it!)
69' Hugger Orange Z-21 ragtop 327/PG, Driver

[This message has been edited by KevinW (edited 03-22-2001).]

How are the brackets on the 8.5" rears? Will they bolt on to stock 67 leafs? I'd like to ditch my 2.73 open 8.2" 10 bolt for a posi and the 8.5" seems to be the best as far as price goes. (My dad won't let me have his 12 bolt 3.30 posi that's in his unrestored 57 Chevy). I'd like to minimize modifications and machining issues since I don't think there is anyone around my area that can set up rear end spring perches.

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Justin
-1967 Camaro SS350

www-student.furman.edu/users/j/jtrauner

Justin, If your 67 is mono leaf and the 8.5 is mono leaf, It's a direct bolt in, except for the driveshaft. Driveshafts are not always exactly the same lengths. If your's is on the short side, you can get away with it (mine was). If it's the stated length or longer, it will have to be shortened around and inch or so. The driveshaft hits the real trans seal if it's too long.

Dennis, can I post pics in this forum? I can take some pics of my mono to multi spacers.

Kevin

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69' SS-350 ragtop, M20, 3.55 posi. Totally Disassembled & in boxes (I'm working on it!)
69' Hugger Orange Z-21 ragtop 327/PG, Driver

Cool, thanks alot Kevin!!! For mine and everyone else's reference, would you happen to know what year 8.5s and from what cars will bolt in?



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Justin
-1967 Camaro SS350

www-student.furman.edu/users/j/jtrauner

Justin, I don't know all of them, but the 72 nova one I have works fine. I would guess the Nova rears in the same body style as the 72 would be the same size. Kevin

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69' SS-350 ragtop, M20, 3.55 posi. Totally Disassembled & in boxes (I'm working on it!)
69' Hugger Orange Z-21 ragtop 327/PG, Driver