[evilone]

Hi gang,I have a 78 bu I am hotrodding,I would like to get some opinions on a rearend selection,keeping in mind Im on a budget.I will be running a 406 ci small block,making around 400 hp on motor ,and 600 or so on NOS.Powerglide trans. with trans. brake, and 28x12.50 M/T D.O.T tires.I am pretty sure a Buick Regal/T type and Hurst Olds/442 will work.Any suggestions will help...Thanks

[poncho62]

With that kind of power, I would suggest nothing less than a 9" Ford rear.

[evilone]

I have checked with a couple of places and I can get a 9inch ford with all of the brackets and chevy bolt pattern with any gear I want for about 1300$.But man thats alot of coin!

[Mustangsaly]

mind telling where you found ford 9" for $1300 ? i was planing on building my own, but would like to look at some complete units.



Mustangsaly

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by evilone

I have checked with a couple of places and I can get a 9inch ford with all of the brackets and chevy bolt pattern with any gear I want for about 1300$.But man thats alot of coin!

But that's cheaper than tearing up 3 or 4 Malibu/GN rears .....

[Hippie]

Originally Posted by Deuce

But that's cheaper than tearing up 3 or 4 Malibu/GN rears .....

I've seen the GN housing and axles with no carrier bring $800, not saying it's worth that but somebody thought so. For what your talking about building that $1300 sounds cheap to me.

[85Sierra]

my 406 is in the neighboorhood of 380hp and 440 ft lbs and im running on a stock 7.5" rear end in my 81 el camino and its taken a huge beating and its not failed me but when i was racing at the drags i did hear something but its still hanging in but that is on 275/60/15 street tires.... but the size of tires you plan on running a 9" is a must dont waste your time with the GN or 442 rear ends

[evilone]

Muastangsaly,I talked to Jeff at Sparker Racing Enterprises.The number Is 1-704-799-1300.They will be happy to help.They are in Mooresville,N.C.The reason I asked my original question is because I have ran across a 84 Hurst Olds rearend I can pick up for cheap.It should bolt right in and its already geared 373 posi!Any thoughts?

[jimfulco]

If it's cheap, it's probably either broken, or it's not an 8.5" unit. Last time I looked, good used 8.5's for that platform cost $1,000 or more.

[xntrik]

Originally Posted by Deuce

But that's cheaper than tearing up 3 or 4 Malibu/GN rears .....

AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN

If you have enough torque multiplication and enough traction, something has to give.

[1982 SS]

Granted, the 8.5" is still a 10 bolt, it is a tough 10 bolt. I am looking for one right now for my El Camino cuz you can't get hot parts for a 7.5". The GN guys must know something in order to keep them together. They manage to keep the rest of the car together. I would think done right the 8.5" would hold but you could probably have a 9" or a 12 bolt for the cost it takes to build the 8.5". Too bad South Side Machine went out of business, the used to sell a 12 bolt conversion for a G-body.

[lluciano77]

I have been running an 8.5 10 bolt for a while with no troubles. I have a 400 with around 450 hp and almost 550 ft./lbs. of torque.

I just got a nice 8.5 10 bolt from the local Pick and Pull lot for $40 yesterday. I didn't feel like doing a gear swap in my original rear so I just got a whole rear already set up.

I saw something online about how you can use 12 bolt axels and make a 30 spline early model 10 bolt. I was almost going to do that, but now that I found my rear on the cheap I think I am going to stay on the cheap. A big advantage doing that other than just the extra strength is that lockers and posi units are cheaper for 30 spline 10 bolts.

[evilone]

So what was the end result......10 bolt or 9 in?

[85Sierra]

well go go 9"