My husband bought me a 10 bolt posi..howeve the question i need to know is if anyone knows how to tell the difference between an 8.2 and an 8.5 Oldsmobile rear end without taking the cover off?

maybe these can help...

http://www.chevellestuff.com/qd/generic_rear_axle_info.htm
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_0603_budget_10_bolt/steps.html