[houtxengr]

Just found this site. This is great!

info:
1995 Buick Roadmaster LT1\4L60E going into a '56 Chevy truck. The stock axle is a 4.11 (too low), the engine would be singing @70mph. It measures 56-1/2" drum-plate to drum-plate.

question:
I would like to go to a 3.25 - 3.50 with disc's (or w\drums that I'll convert to disc). I want to stay away from reversed rims, expanded fenders, etc.

Could I get a list of donors (car or truck) to go look for? Or, get a reference so I can go do further homework?

Thanks,
Roy
Magnolia, TX

 

[houtxengr]

Thanks to all for previous inputs!

To expand this a bit:

The origional rearend of the Roadmaster was a 2.90...this thing must have had a top end of 135 mph or more! I'm told by several local Roadmaster owners that they enjoy the pickup their cars have. They also brag of an average 23 mpg. (all this from a 350 V/8 in a +4000 lb. car!?)

The '56 had 7.00x16 bias ply tires\6 bolt steel wheels on it when we got her. They looked "normal" on this truck.

Now, I don't expect I'll attempt to rattle down the road doing 100 mph in a '56 truck, but I will drive 70 mph regularly. I would be happy with 70mph@2100rpm and +20 mpg. I expect I'll look at putting 2.6575R16's & aluminum wheels on all 4 corners (either 5 or 6 bolt is OK).

The factory wiring harness is complete with computer & all connectors, so I will attempt to utilize this to run this engine stock (260 hp), except a K&N air filter and factory corvette headers (if I can find them), as the stock exhaust manifolds immediatily turn UPWARD, then go down to the rear of the engine (ugly).

Pulling a 4,000 lb utility trailer is not on the list of everyday chores, but a 25 mile roundtrip Home Depot errand once a year would be typical for this '56. I want to be able to stop this beast, so 10"-12" disc's all around is my goal for her. Finally, I do not ever expect this to be an offroader, so posi-trac\limited- slip is not necessary (but nice, if I can find it and, it will fit in my wheelbase).

So, with all of this said, I would appreciate one last comment from the experts (you).

Again, thanks for the help with my project.

Roy
Magnolia, TX

 

[houtxengr]

I guess I should clarify my intentions with all the stuff I've written so far:

Although I'm not a Ford or Dodge hater, I would like to keep the '56 a CHEVY-based truck.

It sounds like I'll leave the 4.11 in for the first month after the rebuild is complete.

If I have to go to another rearend (because the 4.11's didn't work out), what would be the BEST Chevy rearend to go hunting for?

If you said, "Ford...", I would trust your input and go hunting a Ford xxx rearend.

I am concerned with best ratio, correct width, strength, and driveshaft adaptability. Otherwise, I'm a darn good welder\fitter and certainly not afraid to tackle a make-it-work project.

I appreciate the past inputs alot, and I'm looking forward to the next one too!

Roy
Magnolia, TX

 

[houtxengr]

So, with so much reading these past two day I'm getting a headache, BUT I finally have the answer I was looking for:

The '56 rear-end is capable, but the additional hp, if released harshly, has been known to deal a death blow to the origional oldies.

A Chevy 12-bolt rear-end is the "for sure" goal. To get the right width, look for any of the following:

'68-'72 Chevelle
'70-'72 Monte Carlo or Grand Prix
'68-'72 Chevy or GMC 1/2 ton
'70-'72 Cadillac RWD's (Seville)

note: others rear-end candidates might work, but this list of rear-ends have been proven to work by other adventurers like us.


The above truck axles will give you exact width, but might require some spring pad placement work. Matching wheel 6-bolt pattern.

The car axles will require some minor work, but they'll fit (width). The rear wheel 5-bolt pattern will not match the front 6-bolt pattern of the truck, but again, that's not a big step to adapt the front end accordingly (maybe when you incorporate front disc's...?).

This will not provide the disc brakes on the rear (except the Cadillac rear-ends), but again, that's not a big step to accomplish if necessary (there are alot of off-the-shelf kits to select from, or you can get mechanically adventurious and mix-n-match your own setup from salvage yard gems).

Thanks for all the feedback. If I get challenged again, I'll be back...

Roy
Magnolia, TX
rkuhn.mail@netzero.net