Was wondering if there were any differences in spindles/bearings/rotors between small and big block 68-72 Chevelles/Elkys/Montes?

I ask b/c I have a set of spindles from one of those years, not sure if the car was big or small block but I ordered big block rotors and reused the old bearings.....you can't get the castle nut to thread down on the rotor far enuff to expose the hole for the cotter pin.

And if you try then the rotor gets to where it will not spin PERIOD.....and I don't yet have my calipers on.

What gives?

Was wondering if there were any differences in spindles/bearings/rotors between small and big block 68-72 Chevelles/Elkys/Montes?

I ask b/c I have a set of spindles from one of those years, not sure if the car was big or small block but I ordered big block rotors and reused the old bearings.....you can't get the castle nut to thread down on the rotor far enuff to expose the hole for the cotter pin.

And if you try then the rotor gets to where it will not spin PERIOD.....and I don't yet have my calipers on.

What gives?

Spindles should be identical, no difference between SB and BB. Shouldn't be any difference between SB and BB rotors/bearings either, as far as I know... Do you call them BB rotors because the guy at Autozone asked you about engine size before he could pick the rotors? :D

I would check the bearings and make sure the races are pressed all the way in.

When I got the parts from Advance yes they asked the engine size (don't ask why) and besides the 350's and the 454 the 400 was listed (my car is a '71 and 402's were called 400's then)....that's what I went with.

I went online and Advance doesn't even show anything bigger than a 350 4bbl so I can't compare/contrast.

When I bought the rotors the races were already installed. I did reuse the old bearings as they still looked good and I cleaned/repacked them with fresh grease too.

Went to Autozone and looked up the same thing....they have different p/n's but they show the same rotor was used for 350/402/454....

The bad thing is I already tossed the old rotors in the trash. :( I know shame on me.

BB or SB...sedans, coupes, or wagons...all the same.
Sounds like you got one of those "parts" guy that doesn't know a damn thing if it ain't in a computer. :(

Recent actual conversation...
Me: " I need a valve cover gasket set for a 1972 Chevy small block".
Parts Dork: "What size is the engine? What model?"
:sad:
I don't even dare ask for an oil filter for a 540...

Yeah I know, it's a shame, but unfortunatley that's the way most auto parts stores employees are trained these days.

If I need a valve cover gasket for a Chevy small block I just throw out any model Chevy that I know came with a small block. Easy said, easy done. Just don't ask me irrelevant information....like if it has A/C or not. ;)

I think Bill and I have made the same observation. Sometimes you gotta tell them if you have A/C on that -72 to get the valve cover gaskets. :D

As far as the brake problem goes: How much further does the nut have to go to reach the hole? I have run into nuts that would go to far on the spindle, but never seen one doing what you describe. If you're sure that you have the correct parts, I can't see any other reason for this than the races not being seated, or some kind of bearing/race mismatch. Maybe a new set of bearings and races would work?

Well, to tell you the truth I could torque the nut all the way down until it didn't go anymore and you still couldn't get the hole to reveal.

Now if I turn the nut upside down (so the "smooth uncastle side" is facing out) you could get a cotter pin in then but that's obviously not the right way to put it together. Safety first....there will be no half done jury-wrigged parts on my car.

This problem was not there with the old rotors on. The bearings cross reference as the proper part, according to Advance. They're China bearings though.

I don't know if the rotors have the wrong races or what....I'm pretty sure the rear bearing is fully seated on the spindle and not hung up. I even checked their fitment before re-installing them and I reused the same bearings on the same spindle they came off of.

From what your describing it sounds like you got the wrong rotors.
With the rotors on a work bench,If you put the bearing in the rotor does it sit all the way in the race?Check both bearings,inner and outer.Is the new seal holding the rotor from sliding all the way on?Is it possible you have a spindle from a different A-body than a Chevelle.Some of the B-O-P used different sized bearings.

How about your washers that go under the castle nut, are they the originals? Are they too thick maybe? Sounds like its the wrong rotors to me. I'd haul em back to the parts store (or another parts store) and compare em to another set.


Also, if your using new rotors with new races, why not splurge the extra $15-20 for the new bearings as well?

Well if it aint broke dont fix it. :)

Where have I heard that before? :D

I found out why the rotors don't fit right....grease seals are different, calipers won't even fit....here's why:http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126584

Wrong rotors?

We're thinking the spindles are wrong......that's why I posted the casting numbers in hopes of someone can decode what they're originally off of.

This is what an original 69-72 disc spindle should look like. Have you still got your old drum spindles? If you do, you can measure all critical dimensions like spindle length, diameter etc and compare them. The only difference should be the 3/4" dimension in the picture.

Aftermarket spindles can be visually different, but all critical dimensions are the same.
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/516/medium/Disc_spindle_dim.jpg

When I bought the rotors the races were already installed. I did reuse the old bearings as they still looked good and I cleaned/repacked them with fresh grease too.

I don't know if this is still going, but I never use old bearings in new races, period.
The old races are likely worn by the bearings a little, and now with new races your old bearings may not ft as well as new ones. :(

Course none of this fits the fit problems you are describing. Keep us posted. :cool:

This is what an original 69-72 disc spindle should look like. Have you still got your old drum spindles?

Yep, still got 'em.

329354R 15 <---pass side

329353L 13 <---driver side


I just read this again, and you know what... the left and right spindles are identical on 68-72 Chevelles. Same part number, same casting number. You must have something else, as your casting numbers are different. Got a picture?

Damn parts counter monkeys and always asking for engine size for non-related parts.. I bought spark plugs for my Blazer a while back, two engine options available, either a 350 or a diesel, and he asked which engine. I wanted to be sarcastic and tell him the diesel and wait for him to really try to find any spark plug for any diesel.

If you still have your drum spindle, you can make a simple modification and use the same A body disc brake rotor and caliper.

Yeah I still have them, I just went ahead and ordered a front disc brake kit, minus booster and master cylinder (already have one) now just waiting for the damn UPS driver to hurry up and deliver....