[Gary L]

I have a '64 Nova with a 327/375 HP 5 speed combo. The rear needs to be changed. I was thinking an 8.5 10 bolt. Are the spring perches the same as a '66 rear. How about backing plates and brakes. Will they transfer from the '64 to the '66? Thanks.

Gary L

[onovakind67]

The 66 rear ends are 8.2" units, same as the 64.

[Gary L]

I asked the question wrong. Are the '66 spring perches etc. in the same location as the
'64 location? Big gear head is proposing an 8.5 diff and I need to know about perches. I think he is monitoring this thread. He wasn't sure about perch location since he has a '66 as a template.

[Big Dave]

Originally Posted by Gary L

I asked the question wrong. Are the '66 spring perches etc. in the same location as the
'64 location? Big gear head is proposing an 8.5 diff and I need to know about perches. I think he is monitoring this thread. He wasn't sure about perch location since he has a '66 as a template.

The perches are the same so far as I know (but then again everything I say about these years turns out to be wrong). The 1964 8.2 inch ten bolt, and the 1966 8.2 inch ten bolt are the same size externally; but different rear ends. In 1964 they were still using the drop out pumpkin center section style rear end with bolt in axles. In 1966 they used a Spicer designed rear end with an inspection plate. In 1966 they also had a 12 bolt housing which you could possibly find on e-Bay or Craig's list if you looked.

All GM backing plates for the newer style rear ends bolt up using the same bolt pattern with the Spicer rear end. Not sure if that was carried over from the older Hotchkiss style that had the bolt in axles and drop out center section, as if it were then all of the backing plates would be interchangeable.

Big Dave

[63gasser]

Originally Posted by Big Dave

The perches are the same so far as I know (but then again everything I say about these years turns out to be wrong). The 1964 8.2 inch ten bolt, and the 1966 8.2 inch ten bolt are the same size externally; but different rear ends. In 1964 they were still using the drop out pumpkin center section style rear end with bolt in axles. In 1966 they used a Spicer designed rear end with an inspection plate. In 1966 they also had a 12 bolt housing which you could possibly find on e-Bay or Craig's list if you looked.

All GM backing plates for the newer style rear ends bolt up using the same bolt pattern with the Spicer rear end. Not sure if that was carried over from the older Hotchkiss style that had the bolt in axles and drop out center section, as if it were then all of the backing plates would be interchangeable.

Big Dave

Dave the Drop out third member 8.2 were 4 lug only. Gary if you have a five lug car the rear are exactly the same, so you can either rebuild the stocker or find one and install it, four you little 327 the 8.2 with hardened axles and a good posi unit should be all that is needed for you car.

[Gary L]

Jon, they are 5 lug axles. So the '64 10 bolt is the same as a '66 10 bolt? Not the same as an 8.5 10 bolt. So for limited track time good axles and posi unit, I am good to go. Are we talking new ring and pinion (depending on ratio needed) required for the posi unit? What posi unit to buy?

[big gear head]

With a GM rear end or 8.8 Ford I almost always prefer the Eaton Posi. With a 9 inch Ford there are a few choices, but it depends on the power level and intended use.

I need to be completely sure about one thing. Is a '64 rear end exactly the same as a '66 rear end as far as spring perch location, spring angle and total width? I have built many rear ends for the '66 and later Nova and Chevy II cars, but nothing for '65 and older.

[SHIFTY4]

'64-'67 are 8.2 10 bolt and interchangeable...

[big gear head]

Will the '66 rear end also bolt into the '62 and '63?

[SHIFTY4]

sure will...

the '62-'63's are all 4 luggers though with smaller brakes... so drums etc need upgrading

[monzaz]

All 10 bolt 8.5 will be 2 wide for the 62-67 Nova. But with perch swap and extra negative backspacing ...you could possible get it to work. Best thing to do is to narrow the 8.5 10 bolt to fit if you want it to look stock . We already do these rear including 12 bolts and 8.8 ford custom rears.

Good luck on the swap. Jim