[locomotivebreath]

Hadn't really decided on an axle ratio, I just wanted a good core to have as a back up should the need arise . I've never had anything like 3.90s with a 4speed so I'll just have to wait and see if it's to my liking .

[428GTO70]

As has been said, if you are looking to run it as is then maybe offer 450 and see if he bites. If you are looking for a core and plan on going through this rear and building it like you want then I would keep looking.

I bought my 71 Skylark 8.5 for 100 bucks at a salvage yard that I had to drive an hour and a half to get to where they still have old cars in the yard. There was a few to choose from also between 71-72 Skylarks and Cutlass's.

Maybe you can locate a similar, somewhat local yard and do the same thing. It was kind of a long drive but its still cool to go to those kinds of yards just to check them out and is worth the trip.

[zeebo]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Yep. They are also in '74 and up A bodies, as well as a bunch of vintage C/K/R/V pickups.

By the way, I still have the original 8.5" ring gear 10 bolt in my Chevelle. Been racing it for 36 years, 20 or more of those in the 11's or quicker.

Mark Williams spool and axles in the original housing. Current estimate is around 950HP, naturally aspirated, at 3950 lbs (best ET is 9.85 @ 136 mph).

K

right..they put that 8.5" corporate rear into tons of gm cars and trucks--all the way up into the mid 90s..but what he is asking is for the 8.5" to work under a 68 to 72 A body, it has to be out of a 71-72 A body..and i believe that is correct--which makes the 71 72 skylark and cutlass 8.5" not very common anymore.

the 8.5" were also under the 73 A bodies too.. i know..i have 2 of them.. and one under a 74 A..

so you have a 4 speed? try a 3.23 ratio

[67drake]

I thought in 73' the A body changed to G body?

[428GTO70]

Originally Posted by 67drake

I thought in 73' the A body changed to G body?

Actually I think they were A-bodies up until like 80 or 81. I have an 85 G body Cutlass but the earlier 78-79 versions of that car are considered an A body.

[zeebo]

in 73, the G body was the grand prix, the A body was the lemans and the grand am. i dont remember if the A body stopped being called that after 1977, when the lemans and the grand prix were both G bodies from 1978 on.