Rear Axle Identification
 

I have a rear axle that I am 99% sure came out of a 66 LeMans I parted 15 years ago. I am trying to identify the code, and can't find it. I cleaned off the axle tubes on both sides, and can't find a stamping. Also, the center section casting is different from the other axles I have. The ones I have (all 66 GTO 3.55 posi, code YH if I recall correctly), have kind of a "gusset" area on each side of the pumpkin (see second pic), and this is where the casting numbers and dates are. This axle doesn't have those "gussets" (see first pic). Based on the spring mounting plates (set up for the springs to be bolted on), it appears to be a 65-66 axle. Can anyone identify this? Where would the dates/codes be?

Thanks,
Importsmasher

That looks like an 8.5 Buick.

The '66 lemans is the same as the GTO.
Pics from a '66 Lemans;

Jeff, did they use the 8.5 in 65-66? I didn't think the Buick 8.5 came out until like 70 or 71. Am I wrong?

I realize it's possible that the axle in the LeMans I parted was changed, but I thought the only axles back then were the Chevy (10 and 12 bolt), and then the BOP 8.2 10 bolt. I guess it's possible someone swapped the spring mounting plates, but if they did, they did a nice job, as the welds appear factory.

Thanks,
Importsmasher

The rearends is not an 8.5 A body rear.

-Looks like an early 8.2 cast by BUiCK, and used in many '64-66 olds F85's and Burick Skylarks. Higher horse 442's used Pontiac's gray iron 8.2

OPH, thanks; I wasn't aware that Buick and Olds had different castings.

So, where would I find the codes, so I can figure out what ratio it came with? Here are a couple more pictures. I found what appears to be a casting number, and possibly some kind of date code?

Thanks,
Importsmasher

Your post got me thinking; I have a 3.23 rear out of a 66 F85 with a 6 cylinder/3 on the tree in my 66 GTO (temporarily until I rebuild the original rear), and I just went out and looked, and it's exactly the same style as my original GTO rear. So maybe only Buicks used the different style, or was it just "luck of the draw" depending on what they had on hand at the assembly plant? :noidea:

Thanks,
Importsmasher

yes 8.2, sorry brain fart.
FWIW some info;
http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/...hmn_tips3.html