Hi Joe, I'm Tom. I drive a 1964 Chevy ll Nova has a Sb 283 with a 700r ova-dr shift kit, edlebrock head carburetor cam kit and I'm just getting into the game with mechanics. I like to know more about my car than knowing the guys that know my car and your videos are extremely helpful at an entry position. But when I get to the point of wondering if you could possibly answer maybe a question or two potato to my car to avoid aggravating someone else I've subscribed. I thank you. I appreciate everything and I believe I've found the one happy holiday ⛽
I’ve seen 8.5’s take a lot of power without issue, I know guys that swapped 12 bolts out for 8.5’s because they’re just as strong and lighter. I’m currently putting about 550 hp to my 8.5 with moser axles, C clip eliminators, and a strange spool on slicks, have been for several years without an issue.
Super informative. Gotta upgrade my 8.5 sometime. It’s an open diff and 2.73 ratio. Thought about installing limited slip and maybe Something like 3.23. Do you think it’s worth upgrading the original housing or should I shop for an 8.5 that has what I want? Thanks again for the cool videos.
I'll have a video up in next week or so where I completely build a 8.5 with 4:10 gear and a posi. Definitely worth upgrading. You need a few special tools to build it correctly but they aren't expensive.
You seem ti know a bit about the old nova....so, riddle me this ... I have a 65 mono leaf 10 bolt with slappers bolted on and I have made my springs into S's... if you know what I mean. Soo, I am looking for a less expensive replacement spring. The question is if there is a crossover like for the more popular camero or different year nova or other that could be bought alot cheaper. I find the springs for mine at around 300 and even higher and with shipping even higher yet. Camero springs are half that but not quite sure they will work. There are a couple if pull-a-part places within an hour or so that I could hunt different year subs if I only knew what to hunt for. Any thoughts ?
Ok. So it’s probably a length problem with the slapper bars. If the front snubber doesn’t go up and hit the spring eye where the bushing is, it’s going to bend it. Especially on mono leaf springs. The camaro leafs are a different length. I’m not aware of any cheaper that will swap.
Great video, good information! Question for you. I have a 70 Nova with 8.5 GM 10 bolt. 4.56 gears and a Detroit locker. You mention that the 8.5 10 bolt is fine for 500-600 hp. I did an engine swap and want to upgrade rearend to handle more power and also to run a spool. This will be mostly a track car. Engine makes 700 hp and plan to add up to 300 hp in nitrous. Engine is a bored over 427 bbc with th400 with 5500 stall nitrous converter and tbrake. Should I go with a 12 bolt, Dana, or Ford 9”? Aftermarket doesn’t scare me, just trying not to spend $3k on it. Thanks
You CAN build a 8.5 10 bolt to handle that. You would need a 30 spline(or more) spool, c clip eliminators, forged axles to match your spook spline and axle tubes welded. It would all have to be set up properly. That’s a minimum. By the time you spend enough for that, if you pay someone else, you could probably come close to buying a whole assembly.
Question I swapped 8.5 out of a 78 nova to a 68 rear and springs new poly bushings nothing lines up rear shackles are not straight up and down and my traction bar pads don't line up both multi leaf cars I'm at a frustrating loss
That’s weird. I know the housings are same. Did you tighten shackles up before setting car back on its own weight? You should let it sit down on wheels and settle a little before tightening shackles up completely. As far as traction bar pads, I’m not sure what you mean. The rubber pad that is between the bar and the housing?
There is a 350 74 Nova near my house, looks complete but a mess. Any idea the prices of project Novas nowadays? Most of the ones online are modified projects
Shop209 thanks for the info, that’s interesting. This one has a 2020 registration so I assume it’s used regularly. But next to no paint left on it and lots of manageable rust on the body
@@Rockroll8856 Just remember the 73/74 cars have a different trunk floor that isn't available. If it is rusted you will have to fab something. Also if it is a hatchback car, the hatch lids are near impossible to find in good condition.
The 8.5 became standard in 72. All 73/74 had the 8.5”. Most 75-79 had them but a few had a 7.5”. If you use a 75-up make sure you have the right leaf springs. They used an extra spring.
Yes. So if the rear you want to use has mono leaf perches, it would be easier to use mono leafs. If the rear you want to use has multi leaf perches, it would be easier to multi leaf springs but you can also use mono leafs with a spacer. Using multi leafs on mono perches can be done but I’m not aware of any easily available adapters that make it easy.
What's the difference between a multi Leaf rear end and a mono Leaf rear end I know you can put multi-leaf purchase after you take off the mono Leaf perch purchase can the multi-leaf rear end handle more torque then the mono leaf rear end I appreciate you you're very informative
Thanks!! I appreciate you watching. There’s no difference in the housing. Only in the depth of the perches. Mono leaf springs are also slightly more narrow.
It turns out the 10 bolt 8.5 from the 72 Nova I got today from Biggs California was a multi Leaf rear end but it had one leaf spring 4 giant rubber spacers two hundred bucks got a good deal he was a heavy equipment operator like myself
Hey, great job Mr. John, very informative, so I'm taking out axels on my 73 nova 10bolt square botton,8.5,but i can't because there's a clamp device with 3 springs on one side, and 2springs on the other, it seems to lock the pois, because both wheels turn, and it takes up the room needed for the axel clips to be released ,was wondering what it was, what does it do, and how do i remove the axels with that installed, thank you..
Leave those springs and stuff alone. They are part of the posi. You have to remove the small bolt holding the center cross pin in and then push axles in to get c clips out. Then axles slide out. I have a video that shows this.
@@Shop209 yes and I've done that,,but that springy thing in the middle prevents the clips from coming out...?,that's why i asked,,???tks mr john @shop209,,yes and I've done that, but that thing with the springs, prevents the clips from coming out,,thats why i asked, haven't seen that setup up on any tutorials,
Honestly if you’re not going drag racing with slicks, the 8.2 should be fine. Even if you are racing occasionally it’s probably fine. Thanks for watching.
Thanks mentioning the 10 bolt 7.5 with the notched Lugz actually told me what I needed to know appreciate it
nice loved the info on the differences between the two 10 bolt rears ends i learned something new today thanks and i subscribed
Thank you very much!!!
Hi Joe, I'm Tom. I drive a 1964 Chevy ll Nova has a Sb 283 with a 700r ova-dr shift kit, edlebrock head carburetor cam kit and I'm just getting into the game with mechanics. I like to know more about my car than knowing the guys that know my car and your videos are extremely helpful at an entry position. But when I get to the point of wondering if you could possibly answer maybe a question or two potato to my car to avoid aggravating someone else I've subscribed. I thank you. I appreciate everything and I believe I've found the one happy holiday ⛽
I’ve seen 8.5’s take a lot of power without issue, I know guys that swapped 12 bolts out for 8.5’s because they’re just as strong and lighter. I’m currently putting about 550 hp to my 8.5 with moser axles, C clip eliminators, and a strange spool on slicks, have been for several years without an issue.
Yep. I have known 8.5”’s that went mid 9’s in a big block nitrous car.
Damn good axle for sure, very underrated.
the old ss rear ends were some of the best ever maid they do better at the drag strip then the 12 bolts did they held up way better
I just dug my nova out of the weeds but the trunk pan and the floors are in good shape rear frame rails are good.
Awesome. What year is it?
Super informative. Gotta upgrade my 8.5 sometime. It’s an open diff and 2.73 ratio. Thought about installing limited slip and maybe Something like 3.23. Do you think it’s worth upgrading the original housing or should I shop for an 8.5 that has what I want? Thanks again for the cool videos.
I'll have a video up in next week or so where I completely build a 8.5 with 4:10 gear and a posi. Definitely worth upgrading. You need a few special tools to build it correctly but they aren't expensive.
Shop209 Sweet! I’m looking forward to that video for sure! Thanks for the advice. 👍
Great info! I’m shopping for a rear now
You seem ti know a bit about the old nova....so, riddle me this ...
I have a 65 mono leaf 10 bolt with slappers bolted on and I have made my springs into S's... if you know what I mean. Soo, I am looking for a less expensive replacement spring.
The question is if there is a crossover like for the more popular camero or different year nova or other that could be bought alot cheaper.
I find the springs for mine at around 300 and even higher and with shipping even higher yet. Camero springs are half that but not quite sure they will work.
There are a couple if pull-a-part places within an hour or so that I could hunt different year subs if I only knew what to hunt for.
Any thoughts ?
Ok. So it’s probably a length problem with the slapper bars. If the front snubber doesn’t go up and hit the spring eye where the bushing is, it’s going to bend it. Especially on mono leaf springs. The camaro leafs are a different length. I’m not aware of any cheaper that will swap.
Great video, good information! Question for you. I have a 70 Nova with 8.5 GM 10 bolt. 4.56 gears and a Detroit locker. You mention that the 8.5 10 bolt is fine for 500-600 hp. I did an engine swap and want to upgrade rearend to handle more power and also to run a spool. This will be mostly a track car. Engine makes 700 hp and plan to add up to 300 hp in nitrous. Engine is a bored over 427 bbc with th400 with 5500 stall nitrous converter and tbrake. Should I go with a 12 bolt, Dana, or Ford 9”? Aftermarket doesn’t scare me, just trying not to spend $3k on it. Thanks
You CAN build a 8.5 10 bolt to handle that. You would need a 30 spline(or more) spool, c clip eliminators, forged axles to match your spook spline and axle tubes welded. It would all have to be set up properly. That’s a minimum. By the time you spend enough for that, if you pay someone else, you could probably come close to buying a whole assembly.
Also, with a trans brake it’s going to be very hard on rear end when it launches.
So I have a 8.5 10 bolt and believe it's a 75. But was wondering if you have a better source then me JD G314 1
That is a 1975 rear 3.08 gear non posi, made at Detroit gear axel plant. November 10.
great video very informative
Question I swapped 8.5 out of a 78 nova to a 68 rear and springs new poly bushings nothing lines up rear shackles are not straight up and down and my traction bar pads don't line up both multi leaf cars I'm at a frustrating loss
That’s weird. I know the housings are same. Did you tighten shackles up before setting car back on its own weight? You should let it sit down on wheels and settle a little before tightening shackles up completely. As far as traction bar pads, I’m not sure what you mean. The rubber pad that is between the bar and the housing?
@@Shop209 I'll get pics in the morning thank you sir ...
There is a 350 74 Nova near my house, looks complete but a mess. Any idea the prices of project Novas nowadays? Most of the ones online are modified projects
Most of the 74 cars I see in my area(Georgia) are around $1000 for decent project. Depending on how complete or if it runs.
Shop209 thanks for the info, that’s interesting. This one has a 2020 registration so I assume it’s used regularly. But next to no paint left on it and lots of manageable rust on the body
@@Rockroll8856 Just remember the 73/74 cars have a different trunk floor that isn't available. If it is rusted you will have to fab something. Also if it is a hatchback car, the hatch lids are near impossible to find in good condition.
What year is the new 8.5 10 bolt rear end out of i got a 1970 nova with a 5.7ls1. I want to do the rear end what do i need
The 8.5 became standard in 72. All 73/74 had the 8.5”. Most 75-79 had them but a few had a 7.5”. If you use a 75-up make sure you have the right leaf springs. They used an extra spring.
very cool
What's the total width on a 71 Nova rear end mounting surface to mounting surface
From outside of flange to outside of flange is 54 3/8. That is without backing plates.
How do you switch from 28 - 30 spline
I got a question I'm buying a 10 bolt rear end 5.8 out of a 72 Nova not multi-leaf rear end it's my mono leaf can change that over to multi leaf
Yes. So if the rear you want to use has mono leaf perches, it would be easier to use mono leafs. If the rear you want to use has multi leaf perches, it would be easier to multi leaf springs but you can also use mono leafs with a spacer. Using multi leafs on mono perches can be done but I’m not aware of any easily available adapters that make it easy.
What's the difference between a multi Leaf rear end and a mono Leaf rear end I know you can put multi-leaf purchase after you take off the mono Leaf perch purchase can the multi-leaf rear end handle more torque then the mono leaf rear end I appreciate you you're very informative
Thanks!! I appreciate you watching. There’s no difference in the housing. Only in the depth of the perches. Mono leaf springs are also slightly more narrow.
It turns out the 10 bolt 8.5 from the 72 Nova I got today from Biggs California was a multi Leaf rear end but it had one leaf spring 4 giant rubber spacers two hundred bucks got a good deal he was a heavy equipment operator like myself
Cool. Hope that works out perfectly.
Hey, great job Mr. John, very informative, so I'm taking out axels on my 73 nova 10bolt square botton,8.5,but i can't because there's a clamp device with 3 springs on one side, and 2springs on the other, it seems to lock the pois, because both wheels turn, and it takes up the room needed for the axel clips to be released ,was wondering what it was, what does it do, and how do i remove the axels with that installed, thank you..
Leave those springs and stuff alone. They are part of the posi. You have to remove the small bolt holding the center cross pin in and then push axles in to get c clips out. Then axles slide out. I have a video that shows this.
@@Shop209 yes and I've done that,,but that springy thing in the middle prevents the clips from coming out...?,that's why i asked,,???tks mr john
@shop209,,yes and I've done that, but that thing with the springs, prevents the clips from coming out,,thats why i asked, haven't seen that setup up on any tutorials,
@@Shop209 yes and I've done that, but the clamp with the springs is preventing the clips from sliding out,,
So is the 8.2 worth upgrading to a 3.73 posi? I’ve got the 28 spline axles.
Honestly if you’re not going drag racing with slicks, the 8.2 should be fine. Even if you are racing occasionally it’s probably fine. Thanks for watching.
Got a buddy has a 6.0 ls in a 69 nova runs 11.50s with 8.2 with dot slicks
@@davidhill5621 I stuck with the 8.2 and put a posi 373
Find location of rear end ID numbers
HERE IN THE SOUTH WE CALL THE 10.5 10 BOLT
"THE BIG-10".......
Yes we do. Lol