Hello all. I am new to the Chevelle world, and have just begun my 68 SS project. I was hoping to get some information on how to calculate and figure the width that my Ford 9" rearend should be.

This is what I have already in the car (purchased this way): Ford 9" housing with ladder bars, panhard bar, and coilover shocks, axle looks to be from a truck as they come nearly all the way to the outside fender lip, has small bearing housing on outside and no brakes.

This is where I would like to be: I want to run maximum tire and rim width, probably a 10" rim and tire, with enough offset to allow a decent lip on outside of rim, however I do not want so much that it compromises strength. My goal rim diameter is 19". If needed I will mini tub and notch frame. I will also be running disc brake set-up. Since stock chevelle axle and suspension has been removed, I do not know a baseline or proper procedure for figuring the narrowing specs for this 9".

Your help and direction is much appreciated!
btw. I am a 25 year master technician, with great equipment and facility for this build. However I am a newbie to street rod build and love to gather the proper data prior to starting a project.

Hi Neil.

I can't help you regarding the mini-tub/notched rails as my car is has full tubs. When I built a rear end to suit a 20x10" rim, here are the measurements I used to order the axles:

Pass side housing end to Pinion Centre: 27.25"
Driver side housing end to Pinion Centre: 27"
Housing end to housing end: 54.25"
Pass side axle flange to Pinion Centre: 29.875"
Driver side axle flange to Pinion Centre: 29.625"
Axle flange to axle flange: 59.5"

The rims I used were the cheap and common Boss 338, but I like them a LOT more than I thought I would. They get a lot of comments too, but I live where not too many people have bought them yet...

You might want less backspace than the 6.225" that the Boss offers, but that's a personal preference thing...

http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/randompicsofstuff/Pro%20Street%20Yenko%2068%20Chevelle/Chevelle.jpg

Hi Craig,

Thank you for rearend specs, very helpful. I love the look of your Chevelle, different from all the others. I am glad you mention the wheel brand, I can't believe the price of these! I will definately look into getting these.

btw. different is what I like... maybe my screen name gives away the project to some (SS LB7) I am building my 68 Ss with a 6.6. duramax Allison 1000 combo. I will post build pics as i proceed.

Best,
Neil

Sounds like a fun project! A local guy is building a 7.1 stroker Duramax that is currently having a twin turbo AND twin supercharger conversion. Big dollars, but it will have monstrous torque and power!

Welcom SS LB7,

The best way I have found to get "exactly the right size narrowed rear end is to get the tires and wheels you want an put them under the car with the old rearend out. Move them in and out until you get just the right clearance to the fender/quarterpanel. Once you have it just the way you like it, measure the distance between the two wheels measure at the back of the rims. This is called the flange. Every time I have tried to measure and cut first and then order tires/wheels it doesn't work out. This is the only way I know to get it right the first time.:hurray:

Hello Wayne,

Thanks for the advice, I agree and am leaning in that direction.

Best,
Neil

Go Go overkill! That set up will probably yield 1500 hp and over 2000 ft lbs of frame twisting torque!

I am going to stick a little closer to 600 hp and 900 ft lbs torque, looking to get about 20-25 mpg of very streetable power.

Both in Phoenix?
What's up SS LB7? I live in Tempe so maybe we can meet sometime? I am actually building two cars right now. A 66 Nova drag car as well as the 67 Chevelle Pro-Street project I just got two weeks ago.
Do you belong to any car clubs locally?
[/URL]

[URL]http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k632/cooperhw/My%2066%20Nova%20Drag%20Car%202011/ (http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k632/cooperhw/Engine%20Bay%20on%20my%2070%20Chevelle/)

Sounds good, I am in North Phoenix. I like the pics of Nova project, you got some time in that one for sure. I do not belong to any clubs as of yet, it's gonna be a while before I got one to cruise or show!

Hey Craig,
How did you get that picture of the chevelle into the post like that?

Hey Craig,
How did you get that picture of the chevelle into the post like that?

You need to get a photobucket account. It is free. Host your pictures there then copy the [img] code into your message. When you hit submit reply it will take the [img] code and make it a picture.

Welcom SS LB7,

The best way I have found to get "exactly the right size narrowed rear end is to get the tires and wheels you want an put them under the car with the old rearend out. Move them in and out until you get just the right clearance to the fender/quarterpanel. Once you have it just the way you like it, measure the distance between the two wheels measure at the back of the rims. This is called the flange. Every time I have tried to measure and cut first and then order tires/wheels it doesn't work out. This is the only way I know to get it right the first time.:hurray:
I agree 100% with this^. I have done several back half cars and this is a no fail way to get it correct.