Can I use a 12 bolt rear end of a 68-78 oldsmobile 442 on my 70 chevelle?
Oldsmovile rear end?
Kiko Bond
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
Your selection spans about 3 series of rears.
I suspect the one your asking about is the Type-O rear.
It's not a 12 bolt ,c-clip axle rear.
Has 12 bolts on the cover but uses a 10 bolt ring gear -and it's not the Chevy 10 bolt.
Also has bolt on axles which may be a +.
http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofdif.htm
I suspect the one your asking about is the Type-O rear.
It's not a 12 bolt ,c-clip axle rear.
Has 12 bolts on the cover but uses a 10 bolt ring gear -and it's not the Chevy 10 bolt.
Also has bolt on axles which may be a +.
http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofdif.htm
I have one on a 72. It works well, but I don't like it. Anyone feel free to add to or correct me if I'm wrong...
I believe the Olds rear-end (A.K.A. "BOP" or "Corporate" rear-end) has the spring perches or the lower trailing arm brackets in a slightly different location than the Chevy 12 bolt. It's not much, but I first noticed an issue when I jacked the car up and put stands under the frame with the rear end hanging. The rear springs tended to fall off the spring perches. It's not like the springs are going to fall out while I'm driving, unless I start doing some Dukes of Hazzard jumps around town, so I drove it for a couple years like this. I never had any issues. It not like I baby this thing, I jumped on it a couple times each time I took it out. I'm guessing I'm putting around 300-375 HP to that rear end. Never had any drivability issues and there is a picture of me roasting the hides in Car Craft magazine's "Burnout" section in the February 06 issue (I think).
My only real worry is that the pinion angle is probably not optimal due to this difference in trailing arm mount or spring perch location. I guess this could be solved by installing some adjustable trailing arms from Hotchkis or whoever else makes them (Edlebrock, I think, makes them too?) This would probably also raise the tail end up an inch or two, which I also though looked a little sagging for having new springs. I plan on trying to work out a trade with my cousin, who still has a "one-wheel peel" in his 72 Le Mans. Maybe if he gets a Chevy 12 bolt, we can barter a trade. I first have to talk him out of wanting a Ford 9".
That's my take on it. Anyone feel free to comment or correct me on it.
I believe the Olds rear-end (A.K.A. "BOP" or "Corporate" rear-end) has the spring perches or the lower trailing arm brackets in a slightly different location than the Chevy 12 bolt. It's not much, but I first noticed an issue when I jacked the car up and put stands under the frame with the rear end hanging. The rear springs tended to fall off the spring perches. It's not like the springs are going to fall out while I'm driving, unless I start doing some Dukes of Hazzard jumps around town, so I drove it for a couple years like this. I never had any issues. It not like I baby this thing, I jumped on it a couple times each time I took it out. I'm guessing I'm putting around 300-375 HP to that rear end. Never had any drivability issues and there is a picture of me roasting the hides in Car Craft magazine's "Burnout" section in the February 06 issue (I think).
My only real worry is that the pinion angle is probably not optimal due to this difference in trailing arm mount or spring perch location. I guess this could be solved by installing some adjustable trailing arms from Hotchkis or whoever else makes them (Edlebrock, I think, makes them too?) This would probably also raise the tail end up an inch or two, which I also though looked a little sagging for having new springs. I plan on trying to work out a trade with my cousin, who still has a "one-wheel peel" in his 72 Le Mans. Maybe if he gets a Chevy 12 bolt, we can barter a trade. I first have to talk him out of wanting a Ford 9".
That's my take on it. Anyone feel free to comment or correct me on it.
sorry
rear end of oldsmobile 68-72 , tomorrow i will see it , $300 if it is posi, $250 if not .
I have a 9 inch ford posi, it has damage in one axle and the piece that holds it. For my car i will use a 454 for street use only , for that reason i am considering 12 bolt. Other guy sells a 12 bolt of GTO, skilark dont remenber no posi for $400 but one of the supports of the center is broken and the rear end of the oldsmobile is good and for less money so i need to know if i will use this rear end on my 70 chevelle.
thanks for any help
rear end of oldsmobile 68-72 , tomorrow i will see it , $300 if it is posi, $250 if not .
I have a 9 inch ford posi, it has damage in one axle and the piece that holds it. For my car i will use a 454 for street use only , for that reason i am considering 12 bolt. Other guy sells a 12 bolt of GTO, skilark dont remenber no posi for $400 but one of the supports of the center is broken and the rear end of the oldsmobile is good and for less money so i need to know if i will use this rear end on my 70 chevelle.
thanks for any help
Joined
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6,573 Posts
The Olds 8.5 rear end has a 12 bolt cover and 10 bolts in the ring gear. It is known as the "O" axle. There are some performance parts available for it, but they are expensive. This axle was used in the Olds A body from '68 to '70 and it will fit the '68 to '72 Chevelle.
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