I have a chance to replace my single leg 10 bolt under my 68 chevelle malibu with a 12 bolt posi from a 66 chevelle. Now it fits under the car, i measured from drum to drum and the 66 rear is 1" shorter. The distance from the drum to the spring perch is the same, about 9 1/2". So wheres the problem here? i was always told you cant swap these years rear ends. It seems to me like its possible and gives me 1/2" more room on each side. Please tell me if I'm right or wrong.

Take a measurement on the upper contol arm bushings it seems to me that there may be a slight difference there.

Yes it will fit fine, the '67 and earlier rears are narrower than the '68-'72 rears as you found out.
Brett

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'67
L6 malibu [just looks and runs like a SS396]
13.73 @ 101.58 G7014wideovals,M20,full exhuast w/tailpipes

The only thing, If you use a wide wheel & tire, you may need a wheel with less back space.
Use the 68 upper control arms.
I see John coverd the spring mount diffidence that I missed.
[This message has been edited by Bob Johnson (edited 12-31-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Bob Johnson (edited 12-31-2002).]

If you changing make sure you get the spring perch brackets that bolt to the flat perch. The formed spring perch did not come out until mid 67'. The rear is only 1" narrower that an 68 and on rear.

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Thanks In Advance!
John Corbin Member #313
67SS396
Orange City, Florida
E-mail anytime,If I can help I will do my very best!

[This message has been edited by John Corbin (edited 12-31-2002).]

Not sure about the distance fromthe spring perch to the flange...

But the backing plates on the 66 rearend will be closer to the lower control arm brackets... The control arm brakets are all the same (relative to the other brackets...).

The width is only in the end of the housing, with wheel location (within the wheelwell) as the only change/problem...

I don't know who told you you can't swap these rearends, but they were wrong...

If all your measurements are the same, It is also possible that the rearend from the 66 Chevelle might have been transplanted with a later rearend at some time in the past 37 years... Or maybe your 68 had a 66 rearend installed in the past... From what I have seen, this is pretty common...


Oh yeah,
Like John Corbin stated above, if it is a 65, 66 or early 67 rear with the FLAT spring perches, make sure you get the "spring retention plates" to hold down the springs to the rearend... These plates not only hold the springs to the housing (by a large bolt and nut), but properly locate the springs also...

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"Once you go RAT, you never go back..."
TC #1366
Tony
The Chevelle (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/1966_L78/ChevelleA.jpg)
Dual Quad 396 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/1966_L78/ChevelleC.jpg)
Side View (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/1966_L78/ChevelleD.jpg)

[This message has been edited by 1966_L78 (edited 12-31-2002).]

I forgot guys http://www.chevelles.com/forum/redface.gif to mention '66 and earlier rears have a flat spring perch and must have correct hardware to hold spring in place.
I blew up my rear years ago and put a '70 12b in my '67 and just a few years ago put a "correct" '67 12b in.
Brett

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'67
L6 malibu [just looks and runs like a SS396]
13.73 @ 101.58 G7014wideovals,M20,full exhuast w/tailpipes

I think the 66 and earlier springs are different. The springs have a different end (smaller diameter) to work with the spring retainers on the flat perches.

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Bruce Tester
66 El Camino
62 Corvette

i am sorry, i just assumed that the rear was from a 66 because thats what it came with. It must be a late 67 rear because it does not have the flat spring perches. Thanks for all of the info.

Or it could be a late 66.
Can you get the date code cast into the center?
I have been told there was late 66 with the cone type mount and I have also been told there was early 67's with the flat mount. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/confused.gif

[This message has been edited by Bob Johnson (edited 01-01-2003).]

Bob Johnson is correct about the late 66's having a cone mounted spring.My original 10-bolt had the correct numbers and had cones.It was built in July in KC.I replaced it with a 68 Elky's 12-bolt.Springs,upper and lower control arms all matched up.

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66Malibu/427(R&M/Brodix bb2xheads,dominator);69c10/355(454towmotor ready to go);75c10/358(383 next);65chevyII 2-dr.post/327(project in stasis)