Rear end widths
 

OK. I am old and forget a lot more than I can remember. So help me with a rear end for my 67 GTO. Right now it has a peg leg 273(?) gear. I can't remember the width but I understand a 66 rear end is an inch narrower and that is what I need. I would also like to get a posi-traction with about a 323 gear.
my car is a 400 4bbl with a th400 automatic transmission. I need the extra clearance for the wheel tire combo I have on the car now.
I have the Year One rallye 2 wheels with Goodyear Eagle 235/ 50R17 tires. I had to put spring spacers in the rear coils to lift the body so the tires would clear.
I figure the 1/2' per side clearance would allow me to take the spacers out.
I think there is a difference in the spring perchs between 66 and 67, but it is a minor difference.
So, is my thinking right or do I need to look elsewhere for a rear that will meet my requirements.

If you have a '67 rear end, it should be the same width as '66. The '64-'67 are about 60" wide and the '68-'72 are about 61" wide. IIRC

No. The '64 and '65 rear ends are narrow and the '66-'72 are wide.

Both of my '66 GTO's (one built in January and the other July 66) were original, unmolested cars when I got them and both had wide axles.

I think the misinformation comes from the Chevrolet A-body world, where those allegedly got the wide rear ends starting '67.

Ok. I apologize if I gave incorrect information.

Have examples of every different version of the late 60'S-72 GM A-body rears.
With factory drums installed, 61 5/16" from wheel mating to wheel mating flange.
Knock an 1" to 1 1 1/8" off the total width on the earlier width A-body rears. Gotta measure 'em!

The entire "64-67" & "68-72" A-body rear width dialogue goes back to original Chebby 12 bolts & 8.2 Chebby 10 bolts & how those CHEVROLET A-body rears came their two widths.

With the early Buick 8.2 & early Pontiac 8.2 10 bolts, the wider rears began with the ''66 models. Have noted here before I've pulled a TON of sealed axle bearing core axles, as well a few very early '66 model Pontiac 8.2 housings that were of the narrower width. Near all of those '66 complete rearends came out of '66 LeMans & Tempests. Their housings & original dated gearsets were dated from late in the '65 model run & I am fully convinced those "narrower" 8.2 Pontiac rears were factory installed in those early '66 model Pontiacs.

My 66 Lemans has a 66 Chevelle 12 bolt posi with aftermarket disc brakes - how wide would that rear have been with drum brakes at the wheel mounting surface?

[QUOTE=hgerhardt;6508903]No. The '64 and '65 rear ends are narrow and the '66-'72 are wide.

Both of my '66 GTO's (one built in January and the other July 66) were original, unmolested cars when I got them and both had wide axles. [QUOTE]

This ^^^^ is correct information.