Got a 307/turbo 350/3.08 geared rearend in a 70 malibu. Do I have the 8.2 or 8.5 ten bolt?

Garry, I am going to guess that you more than likely have the 8.2 pinion. My 70' Malibu originally also had the 307/TH350 package and used the 8.2 pinion. I 'think' that most Malibus with that engine came off the assembly line with the weaker pinion. There is a way to measure the pinion itself but my memory has faded on that one...maybe someone else knows for sure - sorry.

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'70 Malibu - 383 'Fog Fed' Stroker! Houston, Texas Gold Member #39
Chevellz Alwayz!

The 64-72 10bolts are 8.2.

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Tom Parsons

Not all 71 and 72 10 bolts are 8.2, some were 8.5 "

Didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it (stronger small blocks didn't get 8.5" and weaker ones the 8.2") just whatever GM had around.

My 72 Malibu came factory with a 307 TH350 and it had a 8.5". My 71 parts car was a 400 and it had the 8.2" Whatever each factory had around is what they threw in, so always check before you assume.

As for checking, I believe the heavier 8.5" had a larger pinon nut and maybe a larger yoke, but have to check the books first...



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Dan72

The only pre-'73 Chevelles to get the corporate 8.5 ring gear axle were built VERY late in the '72 model year. These would have been built May 1, '72 or later, according to Chevy Service News, Volume 44, number 6. (as reported in Chevrolet By The Numbers, a fabulous series of books!)

According to the same book, some '70 Monte Carlos were built with the Pontiac style 8.2 axle which has internal components different from the Chevy 8.2.

I have a 70 as well that I suspect has the 8.2 non-posi as the original 307 car. I bought the car with a 454 already installed so my question is how strong are the 8.2 rearends? What HP rating would you give them?
Thanks

Rod, I say this without any personal experience and only from what I have heard about the strength of these pinions. Before I upgraded to a 12 bolt, I too did some checking around about the strength of the 8.2 pinion in my Malibu.

Be really concerned with that weak link if your engine is producing 450+ foot pounds of torque AND if you are able to hook up really well out of the hole while at the track...that will take some sticky slicks of course. So, for the street, with that kind of powerplant your 8.2 is likely just fine because as you know, radials easily break loose at these levels and the driveline stress at the pinion is released easily (relativley speaking of course). But under track conditions with sticky's out back, I would beef it up. Hope this helps you some. Maybe someone else can tell us under what conditions they snapped their 8.2.

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'70 Malibu - 383 'Fog Fed' Stroker! Houston, Texas Gold Member #39
Chevellz Alwayz!