does anybody know if a 1979 diff would fit a 1971 nova (both are novas), i heard on another post that its impossible to have an 8.2 in a 71', but mine does! and i have reason to beleive its an ss at that so anyways i need to upgrade to an 8.5 and build it up. so the question is once again are they compatible?

'79 350 V-8 Nova has an 8.5" rear end that will bolt into your '71. If it has a L-6 (in-line engine) it will be a 7.5" rear end and is too small for any real use (though a lot of third and fourth gen Camaro guys will say otherwise; I convinced they say that because they have few other options).


Big Dave

The Nova didn't get the 8.5 until '72, so your '71 should have the 8.2. The '79 rear should fit, but measure it carefully. I have seen some of them with the wider rear end. Aslo starting in '76 the 6 cylinder cars got the 7.5 rear end, so be sure that it is the 8.5. The yoke was changed in '76, so you will need an adapter u joint and might have to shorten the drive shaft about 1 inch.

thanxx guys very helpfull. any suggestions on a better alternative?

An 8.5" would be the best one as far as ease of installation and cost.

big gear head what did they change the yoke to. I assumed they were all for a 1310 u joint.

Before '76 they used the 1310. In '76 they went to the 3R u joint. This is the one that had the plastic injected into the drive shaft to hold it in place.

what if i try a 73'-75' diff might this be a better and easier option?:confused:

I wouldn't pass on the later models. If only the yoke is different that can be changed easily. Also shortening of the driveshaft is not very expensive, niether are u joints.

Where do you live? I have an 1975 8.5" coming out of my Nova when I install the rear that big gear head built for the car.

i live in orange county California.

Well that is a little farther than I could drive in a few hours. I am sending you a PM.

can a 1969 camaro diff fit a 1971 nova?

Yes it will, but unless it is a 12 bolt it will be the same as the one you already have.

I have a 74 Nova 8.5 with multileafs in my 70 that had monoleaf.