[cowood2676]

Ok, to start with a little history. A 78 Camaro fell into my lap, I wasn't very interested until i popped the hood and looked at a 454 bbc. It had been parked since 1995, I cleaned some stuff off, replaced some vacuum lines, and the vacuum advance, new fluids and much to my delight it purred like a kitten. I'll add it fired first try... Anyway, when I looked under the rear of the car the cover was off the diff, I opened the trunk and found the cover with the ring and spider gears in pieces... My 14 year old son begged me to get the car, so I did and we have turned it into a project for him (at least that is what i'm telling him). When I told the guy I got the car from I was gonna have to replace the rear end (stock 2.41 open) he told me he had another one I could have. I walked to the back of his property and found it. I was surprised to find it actually came out of a 69 camaro. 12 bolt posi 3.31. So, I took it (along with a set of JL8 axles, I won't use them they are for sale). Now comes the work, I can cut and weld spring perches. BUT has anyone ever done this that can tell me if im gonna run into any major problems? Yoke? Center Line? Drive Shaft? I honestly cannot find anyone (yet) who has taken a 1st gen rear end and made it fit in a 2nd gen camaro....any help is much appreciated

[lmsport]

I would sell the 12bolt to someone restoring a Gen1 and buy any 8.5 Gen2. 12bolts bring large cash. Get an Eaton posi.

The JL8 stuff is of course super rare. The rear calipers, though are very similar to Corvettes, are unique. I have a complete axle shoved under a bench from a race project 20 odd years ago.

[SSedan64]

X2^^, you could sell the 1st Gen Rear & have enough to buy 3 or 4 nice 2nd Gen Rears.

[cowood2676]

I have considered that option, but found a small crack in the spring perch weld on the 69, just thought it would be easy enough if I had to do some welding on the axle tube anyway it might be just as easy to move the perches, if everything else was gonna line up. Well, I'm not sure... I was offered $900 as it sits. I may just take it and run... I have to add a question here. I was told by a "camaro" guy that the axles I have are for the JL8 set up, I just can't find anywhere to verify that they are. Is there anything about them that is different? Also, what is a good fair price for them? I have no clue...

[cdminter59]

There was a HD 4 wheel disc brake service package sold in 1968 & 1969. The axle tubes were the same o.d. from the center to the brake flange. The production JL8 housing has a tapered end at the brake flange. All the axles should be the same in the JL8 and HD service package. The axle bearings are larger on the HD service package. But I was checking at Advance auto parts they list only 1 axle for a 69 camaro so ???

[lmsport]

Many rear disc setups require the axle shaft flange to be smaller to fit inside the rotor, especially back in the day of 14 inch wheels and tiny rotors.
I have rebuilt rear ends for restoration guys that are willing to spend $1000 and up for a bare 12-bolt housing with the correct date on it for the GenI cars. If you're not worried about such matters, get a Moser 12BC assembly as its a much stronger piece than the GM deal.