As some of you guys know, the DUDE is seriously in need of a new rearend. A friends of mines dad has a 12-bolt for sale and I was hoping you guys could let me know if it's a good deal or not. The rear-end is date coded for a 1970 chevelle. About a year ago the shock mounts and the spring pockets were cut off and switched over to fit an old drag truck. The insides were totally rebuilt and new 4.88 gears were installed (he said they used a spacer to put the 4.88's in?)A reputable shop did the work, so I'm not really worried about the quality. The rear end is set up to run right now with axles and backing plates. The rearend was never installed in the truck (truck got sold) so the rearend is in good shape. How much work am I looking at to put the stock hangers back on the rearend. Is it possible to get everything lined back up correctly. I have an old junk rearend to get the pieces off of. The guy is wanting $350. What do you guys think?

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Mark "THE DUDE" Skoch
1971 Malibu
(it's gonna be cool someday, really!)
THE DUDEMOBILE (http://www.beldarr.com/DUDE/DUDEcar.jpg)
Confucius say "Man with hand in pocket feel cocky all day"

[This message has been edited by THE DUDE (edited 06-11-2001).]

69454Malibu thinks THE DUDE should try to find a shop that has the fixture to weld the mounts back on first. Also, if the guy is a buddy, ask if you can take the rearend to the same shop and have it looked over. It sounds like a good deal if all inside is the way you want it. Good axels, new bearings etc. A good 12 bolt posi is going to run you around 1200 or so rebuilt. At 350, you have some room to play. Get someone who knows what they are looking at to advise you.

Dave

I am supposed to go look at the rea-end tommarrow, anybody else have any opinions or warnings about it?

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Mark "THE DUDE" Skoch
1971 Malibu
(it's gonna be cool someday, really!)
THE DUDEMOBILE (http://www.beldarr.com/DUDE/DUDEcar.jpg)
Confucius say "Man with hand in pocket feel cocky all day"

Did they remove the "ears" for the upper control arms? putting those back on would be a PITA, if not impossible, I would think.

Also, you might check to make sure it has not been narrowed.

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Charles Perrell
cperrell@yahoo.com
65 malibu SS Convertible
283 2v powerglide

[This message has been edited by cperrell (edited 06-11-2001).]

The SSuper Dave feels that the Dude would be better off with a rearend that has not been torched on. That would be hard to repair correctly. The SSuper Dave got a 12 bolt non posi with 3.31 gears for $150. The Dude should keep looking, they are out there.

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"SSuper Dave" Palmer
A.C.E.S. #1483
Team Chevelle #32 Gold
1968 Chevelle
1970 El Camino (in progress!)

There is a 12 bolt non posi for sale in the parts for sale section as I write this.
Check it out. $250.00 I think.

The Steve thinks the Dude should pass on this one. I just bought a 12-bolt 3.73 posi for $500 completely re-done w/ warranty. They are out there, and the Dude will find one that hasn't be altered. The Steve

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1970 Chevelle Convertible (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/howell.jpg)

The Sprinter said... Good call Charles the uppers are cast into the housing from factory even if you could fabricate them I don't think I would trust them. As far as the lowers and shock mounts they MIGHT be able to weld them on but you would more than likely have to get the rear end set up under the car with the upper and lower arms to get the pinon angle right and angle of lower arms right. It would also take an experienced welder to make these welds. Its your butt that's depending on it. Also you won't be happy with 4.88's on the interstate, that small block would be screaming.

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Tom Donaldson
71' GMC Sprint

I am in the boat with everyone elese. Stay away from the torchmaster rear end. You do not want something that has been welded all over. If I were you I would look around till I found one in a car at a pick apart, or junkyard somewhere.

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350 4speed 12bolt 3.73's
Bench Blue w/black inter. 14.5@90mph