jm69ss
Jan 25th, 00, 04:40 AM
Is there a quick and easy way to tell an 8.2 10-bolt from an 8.5?? The 10-bolt in my 69' SS isn't original and I want to know if it is worth rebuilding.
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Go69 Jan 25th, 00, 07:36 AM jm, The easiest way to distinquish the 8.2 from the 8.5 is to look at the rear end from behind the car. If the bottom of the case, where it runs up towards the axle is smooth it is an 8.2. If it has square "lugs" that give it almost a boxy look then you have the 8.5". If you have the 8.5"-Keep it! It is a very strong rear-end. If you want originality you should be looking for a 12 bolt, and a second job to be able to afford the 12 bolt when/if you can find one. Hope that this helps. 69SSRS Jan 25th, 00, 07:37 AM Pick up the latest issue of Hot Rod, there is an article about swapping an 8.5 10 bolt from an early 70's Nova into first gen Camaros. If memory serves me correct, and if the rear end covers are original, the 8.2 cover has an inverted "V" crease in it, while the 8.5 has no crease. The article was very informative, and may help. Good luck!! ------------------ 69 SSRS Frame-off Resto 81 Z-28 377ci Drag Car 69SSRS Jan 25th, 00, 07:50 AM By the way, the pinion diameter of the 8.5 10 bolt is the same as a 12 bolt, and the diameter of the ring gear is only 3/8" less, 8.5" vs 8.875". In the article I spoke about, they said the 8.5 10 bolt had been successfully run by some NMCA memebers whose cars run in the mid 9's!!!! My 81 has the original 8.5" rear with an Eaton posi, Richmond gears, and stock axles. I ran a best of 11.23 @ 120 mph in the 1/4 with a best of 1.55 60 foot times, with no trouble at all. As far as strength is concerned, the 8.5 10-bolt should be all you need. As for oringinality, that is a different question. Hope this helps. ------------------ 69 SSRS Frame-off Resto 81 Z-28 377ci Drag Car pink68 Jan 25th, 00, 04:52 PM no disrespect intended - 3/8" is a lot of steel 69SSRS Jan 26th, 00, 02:55 AM Yea, but the 3/8" is on the OD of the ring gear, meaning it is only 3/16" on each side. The strength difference is very minimal if non-existent, because its not like we are talking shaft diameter, this is only the OD of the ring gear. I stand corrected on my earlier post, it was Chevy High Performance I read the article in, and the e.t. was mid 8's!!!!! I'm just trying to say that the 8.5 10 bolt is strong enough for just about anything you want to throw at it, especially on the street, ------------------ 69 SSRS Frame-off Resto 81 Z-28 377ci Drag Car | ||