[dan10101]

First, the car is a 72 El Camino. It was originally a SS 350 4spd if that matters. When I purchased it a few years ago, I was told it had a Pontiac 12 bolt 3.42 gear in it. That's about as much as I know aside from the following pictures.

It appears to have a C-Clip eliminator kit installed. Possibly bigger axles.
To keep you from having to count I believe they are 31 spline. 1.2326" diameter.

Years ago I bought a disk brake kit and I'm trying to install it. I believe the C-Clip eliminator kit is messing me up. That's another story, I'm just trying to confirm the ID of the rear end and modifications so I can figure out the next step in the rebuild.

I'm not sure if there are other numbers or information you need. Please let me know.
Thanks
Dan

 

[dell72]

BOP 12 BOLT. Has a 12 bolt pattern cover and 10 bolt ring gear.

 

[VinceS427bb]

BOP 12 BOLT. Has a 12 bolt pattern cover and 10 bolt ring gear.

i think these are 30-spline axles,
the BOP style 12-bolts and 10-bolt cover axles did not have C-clips from the factory...:noway:
to add the disc brake kit/bracket you will need something to work with the BOP style axle ends...

 

[CoolBlueGlow]

That's a BOP 12 bolt. The giveaway is the TEN bolts on the ring gear, (Count 'em and see...) Even with the TWELVE bolts on the cover.
They are good pieces. Plenty stout, but not a Chevelle original. Don't let the ten bolt carrier fool you. These are robust 8.5" carriers, not the puny 10 bolts in Chevys.

Don't know about the axles, but they look nice.

These 12/10 bolts were in A body BOP, which is why they fit Chevelles.

 

[Malibu ss 64]

"O" 12 bolt from a olds a-body not as strong as a chevy 12 bolt but stronger than a 8.2" 10 bolt. I think some of them got 31 splines axles instead of 28 splines.

Marcus

 

[big gear head]

Not a BOP, it's the '68 to '70 Olds Cutlass O rear end. That's not a c clip eliminator, that is how those rear ends were built. They have press on axle bearings and retainers like the 9 inch Ford. If you bought a brake kit for a Chevy rear end then send it back. It won't work.

 

[dan10101]

I'm assuming that BOP is Buick Olds Pontiac.

Can't send it back(had it 5+ years sitting in a box), but if I can properly identify it, I might be able to order the right adapters, especially if it's a factory unit. I know the kit description states that it won't work with eliminators.

Are there numbers or identifying marks I can look for? I just want to be sure before I throw good money after bad.

Thanks for the comments everyone.
Dan

 

[dan10101]

After rotating the gear a bit more I see it is a Richmond gear set. I found this to confirm it is an Olds 10bolt. I think this confirms what you guys are telling me. Still haven't found the cover pan gasket for it, but I'm getting closer.

Description Ratio Set Gear Pinion Catpage
GM 10 OLDS 3.42 49-0049-1 82-0458-1 82-0459-1 11

 

[big gear head]

Believe me, it's the '68 to '70 Olds Cutlass O rear end. Parts are available for them, but not a lot, and they are more expensive than for the Chevy rear ends. If you are able to find caliper brackets to fit it then check and see if they are cut so that they will fit over the axle without having to press the axle bearings off. If you have to remove the axle bearings to get the brackets on then you will have to get new bearings. The bearings can not be pressed off and used again. The caliper brackets will take the place of the axle retainer plates that you have now.

 

[dan10101]

Freddie,
I see you are right. Below is the confirmation. Not for you but for anyone else on the fence. I do have 31 spline axles. (counted them 3 more times) You bring up a good point about the caliper brackets. I'll call CPP and see if they have any that will work with the Olds rear and their disk kit. Otherwise the modification will get real tricky to work with the kit and over the bearings. I see my axle retainer is not stock.

On a side note, we had an Olds Vista Cruiser when we were kids.

http://www.supercarsunlimited.com/info/tech/diff_id/diff_id.htm
12 Bolt O Axle

The Oldsmobile 12 bolt rear end (O axle) was used under most 1967-1970 Cutlass, 4-4-2, Hurst/Olds and Vista Cruisers. The housing cover can be identified from the pictures below. Internally, the Olds 12 bolt O axle rear end features an 8.5" ring gear. Which is attached to the carrier by 10 bolts (this 8.5" 10 bolt ring gear is not the same as the 1971 and newer 10 bolts). All use 28 spline axle shafts except the 1967-1968 models originally equipped with 3.42 thru 5.00 gears. These use 31 spline axles. The 31 spline models also use larger carrier bearings than the 28 spline models. Consequently, the 31 spline carriers cannot be used in a housing originally equipped with 28 spline axles, and vise-versa without the use of special bearings. 1967-1969 axle bearings are a sealed ball bearing design. 1970's axle bearings are an open roller design lubricated by the differential oil. All O axle shafts are retained by a four bolt flange (not internal C-clips). Three different carriers were used depending on ratio: 2.56-2.78, 3.08-3.23 and 3.42 thru 5.00. These have different pinion centerline to ring gear mounting flange offsets (The 28 spline and 31 spline carriers feature the same mounting flange offset). All O axles use a 1.626" diameter, 27 spline pinion stem. All Anti-Spin models (Oldsmospeak for "posi") are clutch type differentials. Which utilize an "S" shaped spring to provide pressure against the clutch packs.

Thanks everyone for their help. An oddball, but at least it's a stout oddball..

 

[big gear head]

Yea, your axle retainers look like they are from Moser. The original retainers were stamped sheet metal and must be installed before the bearing.