[big gear head]

I've been building these rear ends for years, but I still don't know exactly what years are the same in the later Novas. I have seen '76 Novas with the 60 inch wide rear end and the spring perches 42 1/2 inches on center, and I have seen later Novas with the 61 inch wide rear end with the spring perches 45 1/4 on center. When did they change it and did the frame get changed too? I can't figure out why GM would change the rear end when the car was about to go out of production.

 

[Philip]

My 75 and 77 Nova have the same spacing on the springs. Both had 8.5" differentials. All 75's had the 8.5, after that only the V-8's, 6 cyl got the 7.5" and in 76 only the 350 got the 8.5. I believe 68 - 79 were the same dimensions, just differences in the internals. Good to see you over here from Team Chevelle, (aka 64elcamino) your expertise will be a great asset.

 

[big gear head]

I know of at least one '78 or '79 that had the wider rear end in it, and I have seen a few more with the wider rear end, but I'm not sure what years these were. I have bought several 8.5s up to '76, but not later than that. I have also run across several of the 7.5s in these cars. It is hard to buy these rear ends over the phone or internet when I can't measure them to be sure what I am getting. I was just wondering why some of them have the wider rear end.

I hope this sight gets as popular as the Camaro and Chevelle sights. There hasn't been much trafic here so far.

 

[DANNO]

According to Scott's research, (http://www.novaresource.org/axle.htm) the rears were the same dimensions after 68. Maybe some were swapped out before you got hold of them.


Dan (perhaps)

 

[big gear head]

Could be. Seems a little odd that someone could push the springs out far enough to use the wider rear end and have it work right.

 

[Philip]

There was a Cadillac model based loosely on the X body platform. It may have had a wider stance and some of those rear ends may have found a home in some Novas. Then there are the Camaro's and S-10's which may be wider.

 

[TERRY]

the camaro from 75-81 was used in the novas by people but they are wider!
if you spread the springs out about a 1/2" on each side you can make it work not right but will fit????