Editing 1961-'63 Buick Special/Olds F-85 rear end conversion
(
diff
)
← Older revision
|
Latest revision
(
diff
) |
Newer revision →
(
diff
)
Jump to:
navigation
,
search
I recently purchased a 1961 buick special with the 215 V8 and 2 spd dual path transmission. The rear is the stock rear(4 link) that has a leaking pinion seal. I measured the backing plate to backing plate as 51.5 inches. I have been researching a conversion for both the trans and rear and have still not nailed the proper components to satisfy my requirements. I want the car to be realiable, primarily! I am planning on warming up the motor in the future so I do not want to install something in this car that is not stronger than the stock components and i also want to be able to obtain parts for it in the future if necessary. The three main problems with this machine is that it is low, and does not have much of a tunnel to install larger components , therefore floor(tunnel) mods will be necessary to convert to larger, stronger units. The other problem is the driveshaft; it is 2 piece and not strong, as i have read about folks taking a spare rear drive shaft with them in the trunk, just in case! And lastly is the bolt pattern on the block to bellhousing. The 215 is a special design that does not fit up to any other GM components. Rover bought the motor in 64 from Buick and there are parts available for MG conversions and others. D & D has adapters for using a BOP T5 5 speed trans and they also provide all the parts necessary for the swap. The other option is the TH200 auto trans, and D & D has an adapter for that conversion as well. The driveshaft will have to be modified. Any way you look at converting this car is expensive. Nothing is cheap anymore! I have been told that a Ford Fairmont rear from a late 70´s car is almost the same dimensions as the buick rear but in my research i have found that it is not a strong unit. That leaves some other choices and that is obtaining a 8.5 10 bolt with the eyes on the carrier or a 12 bolt with the eyes on the carrier, or a 8.8 Ford rear with the eyes on the carrier and have the housing cut and the spring pads relocated. The yoke on the carrier has a radical up angle that is not typical of the other GM cars. All the components must be chosen initially before the driveshaft modification can be done. Anyone having some knowledge or experience with this type of conversion, your comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. email: heaven158@juno.com [[Category:Candidates for deletion]]
|
Editing help
(opens in new window)
Personal tools
Log in / create account
Namespaces
Page
Discussion
Variants
Views
Read
Edit
View history
Actions
Search
Navigation
Main Page
Recent changes
Random page
Help
All articles
Start a new article
Hotrodders forum
Categories
Best articles
Body and exterior
Brakes
Cooling
Electrical
Engine
Fasteners
Frame
Garage and shop
General hotrodding
Identification and decoding
Interior
Rearend
Safety
Steering
Suspension
Tires
Tools
Transmission
Troubleshooting
Wheels
Toolbox
What links here
Related changes
Special pages
Terms of Use
Copyright
Privacy Policy
Your Privacy Choices
Manage Consent