[1971 Nova]

Hello everyone. I recently joined Hot Rodders forum. I'm trying to find out which rear end is in my 71 Nova 8.2 or 8.5. I've looked at Nova Resources differential page and have determined that my carrier housing has the pronounced square lugs on the bottom which indicates the housing is an 8.5? The numbers and letters on the passenger side of the axle tube are: JD G340 2, It dosen't tell me what year/carrier size etc? I found an L 2 1 on the carrier drivers side bottom which I guess indicates the carrier was assembled by Detroit gear on December 2nd 1971? I'm just hoping to find out if the rear end is an 8.2 (like most 71's) or an 8.5?

Thanks everyone
Mac

[70ChvyNova]

Take a look at rear end cover, does it have a diagonal indentation across it, or is just a smooth bulge? If it has the indentation, then its most likely an 8.2, if not its most likely an 8.5.

[PRO 48 fleetline]

if it came with the car its a 8.5 8.2 's were used in later model cars like G-body olds and monte's and astro's camaros etc i still have an 8.5 in mine heres a few photos

[1971 Nova]

Thanks very much guy's! I appreciate ALL the responses. Henry Highrise, Poncho62, PRO 48 Fleetline, you guy's are great! Looks like my rear end is an 8.5. Thanks again! I'll be posting again shortly. Mac

[1971 Nova]

Just a quick post to thank 70ChvyNova who explained the difference in the rear end covers.
Thanks again, Mac

[70ChvyNova]

Your welcome, glad to help out

[M&M CUSTOM]

Originally Posted by PRO 48 fleetline

if it came with the car its a 8.5 8.2 's were used in later model cars like G-body olds and monte's and astro's camaros etc i still have an 8.5 in mine heres a few photos

Inaccurate information.

The 8.2 inch GM 10-bolt axle was replaced by the 8.5 inch 10-bolt axle between 1970 and 1972 and some of the warehouse straggler 8.2's were found in warehouses and put into the assembly line late creating the wide variation of years that the changeover took place 1971 is the commonly accepted year for the official change. The G-body cars NEVER had an 8.5 inch in commonly found versions, ONLY the Olds 442, and a very few others, the rest had a 7.5 inch ring gear 10-bolt axle, remember the G-body came out in 1982 to replace the reallocated A-body designation of GM's mid-sized car line.
VERY few of the S-10's from the first one in 1982 to the last one before the rename of Colorado had the 8.5 inch axle pretty much limited to the Z-** off road package optioned trucks.
The 7.5 was replaced by the 7.625 around 1985.

[1971 Nova]

Thank you for the information. This explains the confusion I've had and makes perfect sense as to why my carrier housing appears to be an 8.5 10 bolt even though it's a 1971. I'm very happy to hear that 8.5 10 bolts were actually installed in these vehicles. I thought that someone may have changed the rearend out at some point, very confusing. Thanks again M&M Custom.

Mac