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#1
01-22-2015, 07:18 PM
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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
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Scott Baggiore 66 GTO convertible 389/4 speed (parents bought new) 73 Firebird Formula 400/4 speed 74 GTO 455/4 speed 74 Grand Am |
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#2
01-22-2015, 07:53 PM
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That looks like an 8.5 Buick.
The '66 lemans is the same as the GTO. Pics from a '66 Lemans;
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When I die, I want to go peacefully like my grandfather did, in his sleep. Not screaming like the passengers in his car. 
Last edited by Jeff Hamlin; 06-12-2015 at 06:01 PM. |
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#3
01-22-2015, 08:48 PM
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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
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Scott Baggiore 66 GTO convertible 389/4 speed (parents bought new) 73 Firebird Formula 400/4 speed 74 GTO 455/4 speed 74 Grand Am |
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#4
01-22-2015, 09:02 PM
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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
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Buzzards gotta eat... same as worms. Last edited by 'ol Pinion head; 01-22-2015 at 09:08 PM. |
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#5
01-22-2015, 09:21 PM
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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
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Scott Baggiore 66 GTO convertible 389/4 speed (parents bought new) 73 Firebird Formula 400/4 speed 74 GTO 455/4 speed 74 Grand Am |
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#6
01-22-2015, 09:28 PM
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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?
 Thanks, Importsmasher
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Scott Baggiore 66 GTO convertible 389/4 speed (parents bought new) 73 Firebird Formula 400/4 speed 74 GTO 455/4 speed 74 Grand Am |
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#7
01-24-2015, 09:25 AM
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__________________
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my grandfather did, in his sleep. Not screaming like the passengers in his car.
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