hey im new to the site....i bought a 1 owner nova 1971 about 6 months ago....i have begun the restoration process by first pulling my original rear mono leaf springs as well as shocks and 10 bolt rear end....ive been searching for 12 bolt posi rearends everywhere, craislist and e bay......their are some there but not near my area.....the nova is known as an x body car....only late 60's early 70's camaro 12 bolts fit my nova.....there is approximately 53.1/2 inches between the backing plates......chevelle rearends are too big.......if there is any other places i can search for a 12 bolt posi fully complete for less than $2000...let me know.....or help me out...this is the hardest item to find in restoring my nova.......not all 12 bolts fit...thanks for looking

Welcome to the board Mighty Joe!

You are correct only the first generation F-body (aka Camaro) and the 1968-71 X-body rears will fit (X-bodies include the Pontiac Ventura, Olds Omega, Buick Apollo, and the Cadillac Seville). The good news is that Moser is casting all new Spicer 12 bolt rear ends using a higher nickel content than GM bought from Dana-Spicer back in the muscle car era. The new rear also has heavier walled axle tubes that are fully welded to the casting instead of the thinner spot welded factory original and has nodular iron caps holding the rear end in place (upgradeable to forged steel).

Though you can still use the original Eaton Posi-traction™ limited slip differential, there are now two stronger upgrades available from Moser (and others) for their rears as well (the Detroit Locker True Track all gear drive differential and the original Detroit Locker design based upon a ratcheting differential that uses a higher spline count rear axle).

All of this has dropped the price of a twelve bolt from unobtanium to only about $2,000 now because the Moser can be had new for about $2,400 and it costs more than $400 to rebuild a forty year old rear end (new axles and bearings with new crush sleeve and seals assuming the gear is still in good shape).

That’s my take on it any way.

Big Dave
(this has been an uncompensated product endorsement)

The 65 - 67 Chevelle 12 bolt is the correct width. The ears on the casting and the shock mounts would need cut off. The spring perches for the Nova would need welded on. We put one in a 67 Camaro. The 8.5" 10 bolt that was used from 72 to 75 all models and from 76 to 79 in V8 Novas will also be strong enough for most applications.

thanks big dave....that information really helps.....lower prices sound good...haha...anyways i browsed through the moser site and found some 12 bolt rear ends.....but i couldnt find a COMPLETE rea end....it had the packages with axle, housing , and the nuts n bolts but i couldnt find a complete set up......should i give these guys a call or is there a way you can point me in the right direction? do you know of any complete 12 bolt posi's that they offer? appreciate hearing back from you......thanks for the info MIGHTY JOE!!

Hey may be this will work http://www.moserengineering.com/Pages/Housings/hous-moser12.html
if not go to the website and go to products- Housings- Moser 12 bolt and you should find them there good luck