Guys -

I am looking to swap a rear end into my 67 Pro-touring Camaro. I have been searching for an 8.5" out of a Nova, etc. but they are becoming increasingly hard to find, and the price is quickly rising, as people know that they fit Camaro's, and there is a large market for them.

My question is, does anyone know of a Ford 9"/Mopar 8 3/4" rear end that will bolt in to a first gen Camaro without swapping the spring mounts or shortening the rear end? I assume that if a rear end like this exists, they would be pretty popular too, but maybe people are reluctant to put ford parts in their Chevy.

My car is already unoriginal, so I wouldn't mind this at all. Plus, I know how strong the 9" is and how easily gear swap can be done. Any help would be great.

Dan

I have a 9" out of a 72 Mustang and the width, compared to a 69 Camaro is only off by 1/8". No mater what, if the rear is not for a 69 Camaro, you will have to do work on the spring perches.

Ive been into 63 Chevy 2s but now have a 67 Firebird instead and I know rears interchange between these cars (bolt in) I had a Chevy 2 and it had a posi rear but I knew it wasnt the original because it was a couple inches longer that the Chevy 2 and they cut out the fenders. I ran the numbers and found it was out of a later Nova (70s) I sold the rear to a guy and it bolted into his 69 Camaro. So the early Chevy 2 rear bolts in and is a little shorter so that would give you more tire clearance too! Now rears that will bolt in your car are 9 inch Ford from 57-59 car, SW or Ranchero ; Sw and Ranchero are stronger having large end bearings , also I believe the Granada and Lincoln Versaille will bolt in and some have rear disc.

If you can't find a 9" to fit your needs, buy on that is too long and have it narrowed. I sent my housing and axles to Moser Engineering ( www.moserengineering.com ), and they cut & resplined the axles and narrowed the housing for $220. I sent the housing in one box, and the axles in another, via UPS. Shipping that way was quick and inexpensive. You can cut the old spring perches off with an angle grinder, and get a new set from Summit and weld 'em up. I got a new 3rd member from Randy's Ring And Pinion (.411 w/ Detroit Locker) for only $810. delivered. I was out less than $1,200, and that included new bearings and buying the donor rear end.

HTH, Jim

My 9" is out of a 77-78 Lincoln Varsalies. All jokes aside, I did nothing to the perches or the driveshaft! Its about 1-1/4 narrower on each side than the stock GM rear. Has the factory Ford disc still on it too. The only thing I changed was I bought new Calipers, pads and rotors for it and changed the 3rd member for a better one. The brake line adapter is located on the driver side axle tube. You will need to do some brake line changes. I ran a braided flex line over to that location. My car was mini tubbed and the only thing I can think you may have a problem with is using the stock shock locations if you are using them.

As I was saying earlier there are a few that will bolt in without doing any fabrication. The 9 inch Ford is hard to beat for strength , being easy to swap third members ( chunks) and price. The Lincoln Versaille is the most popular and well known for the swap but also most expensive because all junk yard ownners know that this rear will bolt in old Mustangs, Chevy2s and Camaros. So look for 57-59 Fords and Granadas . Some Versailles and Granadas have the 9 inch and some dont; the one I found yesterday did and I think because it has a v8. Some have rear disc and some dont . I paid $100 for a running Granada in nice shape but just to get the 9 inch , the rest Ill junk. This was at the junk yard accross the street and I didnt tell them why I wanted the Granada but if I would have said Versaille they would know and want more ; that is how well known the swap is so look for the other cars.

I got my 9" out of a older Bronco. The width is right on, but the spirng pads will have to be changed. I have not put the 9" in yet, but it will be soon I hope.

I have a Ford 9" in my car, but dont know from what. How can I find out what it came outa?

It was there when I bought the car, Drum brakes and posi.

-Wayne

LukeSkyWalker; Ive been looking for an old 69,70 Bronco rear to put in mySusuki Sam. Chevy v8. yes the Bronco is a good choice if you move the perches over.

77-78 Lincoln Varsalies

I talked to a friend that has a lincon Varsalies 9" with the disc brakes and he said they are Coil spring cars. So how did it bolt right in?????

I would really like to put in a 9" the more narrow the better in my 68 F-body. It will be mini tubed. This sound like a good rear to use. Perches are not that big of a deal to me to weld on and if I mini tub they would have to be moved in anyway. What other ford 9" might be a canidate???

77-78 Lincoln Varsalies

I talked to a friend that has a lincon Varsalies 9" with the disc brakes and he said they are Coil spring cars. So how did it bolt right in?????

I would really like to put in a 9" the more narrow the better in my 68 F-body. It will be mini tubed. This sound like a good rear to use. Perches are not that big of a deal to me to weld on and if I mini tub they would have to be moved in anyway. What other ford 9" might be a canidate???

The Versailles, Granada and Monarch of the 75-80 era are leaf spring cars. The rear will bolt right in any Nova and 1st gen Camaro. They are about 2" narrower than the stock Camaro rear, same width as an early Nova. The boneyards here have quite a few 75-79 Novas with 8.5" rears in them, I see them all the time, and have done a few swaps into Camaros.

8 3/4 from an A-body is the right length.

See if you can find a back issue of Auto Restorer Magazine. They did an article on the MOPAR 8 3/4. It talked about the various widths and what you could swap it into etc. Very handy reference guide if you can find it. I think Eastwood owns the magazine, they may keep back issues.