WTB 8.5 rearend out of 1971-72 GM A body

[Ricko1966]

An A body would be a Cutlass,Skylark,Chevelle,Lemans etc. Not interested in anything but those. The reason I state that is last time I ran this anywhere. I got all kinds of responses I've got a rearend out of a Mustang, a Camaro,etc.etc. I don't want to have to fab up anything I want to buy it put my internals in it and install it. If anyone has something please p.m. me. Thanks.

 

[bucket]

I'm curious... was the GM 8.5" even used before '73 in the A-body car line? I thought the Chevelle and Monte Carlo kept the 8.2" in those years. And the 12 bolt too, of course.

 

[Ricko1966]

Buick,Olds,Pontiac got them first Chevelles got them in 72. Supposedly some Pontiacs got the 8.5s in 69... 1970,71,72 Montes and 71,72 BOP with 10 bolt should be 8.5 with bolt in axles. Chevelle got 8.5 with c clip axles they say 71,72 . I think it was more like 72 only.

 

[AyWoSch Motors]

Buick,Olds,Pontiac got them first Chevelles got them in 72. Supposedly some Pontiacs got the 8.5s in 69... 1970,71,72 Montes and 71,72 BOP with 10 bolt should be 8.5 with bolt in axles. Chevelle got 8.5 with c clip axles they say 71,72 . I think it was more like 72 only.

73 monte carlo have one?

 

[Ricko1966]

Wrong one it has to be 72 or earlier. Thanks though

 

[BKING33]

You'll have better luck going with a 12-bolt. In the 30 years I've been working on cars/trucks, I only ever saw 1 8.5 in that generation and it was in a 70-72 Monte.

 

[bucket]

You'll have better luck going with a 12-bolt. In the 30 years I've been working on cars/trucks, I only ever saw 1 8.5 in that generation and it was in a 70-72 Monte.

Well that makes me feel better. I was starting to doubt my familiarity with them, lol.

 

[Ricko1966]

They aren't that rare,just they look almost identical to an 8.2 I haven't looked real hard and have found 2 and kick myself for not jumping on either one. Should be under every 71-72 Cutlass or Skylark and 70-72 Monte and depending on who you are listening to all 71-72 LeMans and 71-72 Chevelles.

This guy builds them

 

[bucket]

Eh, due to the ridge in the cover, I think the Chevy style 8.2" is very distinguishable from the GM 8.5".

 

[bucket]

Of course now that this topic has come up, I'll probably start seeing them at swap meets everywhere, lol.

 

[Ricko1966]

The dirty one is the 8.2 in my chevelle. To me it is very visually the same as the 8.5 other than the case protrusions at 5 and 7 O'clock I don't know why or what year 8.2s got the cover with the strange v shaped boss at the top. Anyways looking for 1 with the bosses on it 1972 or earlier. Found 1 last night forgot to call about it today,but it is so far from me.

 

[Ricko1966]

Ohhhh I hate you guys now. Look at this pic and read the words. Most 8.2s have the protrusion on the cover. And this, most 8.5s have the lugs at 5 and 7. I installed this rearend 20 years ago under the impression it was an 8.2. Now I question if it is 8.2 or an 8.5. Dam it is an 8.2 with the odd cover or an 8.5 without the ears. Looks like some investigation is going to have to happen.

 

[Ricko1966]

@bucket @BKING33 Ive only been into a dozen or so various 10 bolts in 30 years,since you guys are more well versed with the differences in 10 bolts from year to year please help. Some sights say the lugs are the give away,some say you can't tell without pulling the cover,some say the 8.5s use ujoint straps the 8.2s use u bolts. I took that rearend out of a 71 or 72 chevelle parts car under the impression it was 8.2. It has straps,nu lugs,and look at the cover pic I put up on post 11. What do you guys think?

 

[bucket]

Well I am certainly no expert at all. But my guess would be that your axle in post #11 is an 8.2 with a goofy cover, due to the notches that direct oil on both sides. I don't 'recall' any 8.5's having that. I'm going to go look at some covers in the daylight tomorrow.

I'm also completely unfamiliar with the BOP axles and whether or not they look similar to the 8.2".

 

[Ricko1966]

Well the reason I said the 8.2s look like the 8.5s was because that's what the chevelle forums says 1971/1972 you have to pull the cover to verify. The Buick guys say the protrusions at 5 and 7 are a give away the chevelle forums says no. And to add further confusion U do remember 1966 Chevelle 10 bolts had the strange stamped on the cover.Im attaching a pic of my rearend,a pick of a rearend on ebay,a pic of a rearend from a different website and 1 more from ebay. Any input is appreciated, I'm really thinking I'm just going to have to pull the cover,when it's warm and I have time.