1961-'63 Buick Special/Olds F-85 rear end conversion
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It has been said that a late '70s Ford Fairmont rearend is almost the same dimensions as the Buick rearend, but its strength may be limited. That leaves some other choices like obtaining a 8.5" 10 bolt with the control arm "eyes" cast into the carrier, or a similar 12 bolt, or a 8.8" Ford rearend (also equipped to use control arms), and then having the housing cut and the spring pads relocated. It has been found that a 1988 Mustang 8.8" rearend is 4 inches too wide, but could work if narrowed. | It has been said that a late '70s Ford Fairmont rearend is almost the same dimensions as the Buick rearend, but its strength may be limited. That leaves some other choices like obtaining a 8.5" 10 bolt with the control arm "eyes" cast into the carrier, or a similar 12 bolt, or a 8.8" Ford rearend (also equipped to use control arms), and then having the housing cut and the spring pads relocated. It has been found that a 1988 Mustang 8.8" rearend is 4 inches too wide, but could work if narrowed. | ||
| − | ==Wheel backspacing== | + | ==Wheels== |
| + | ===Wheel bolt pattern=== | ||
| + | The original Buick wheels are 4 on 4-1/2" pattern. The GM rearend uses a 5 on 4-3/4" pattern. The axles can be redrilled to reuse the original 13" Buick wheels, or the front drum brakes can be changed to a 5 bolt pattern or better yet, swap the front drum brakes to disc brakes having the correct 5 on 4-3/4" pattern to match the replacement rearend. Or two different spare tires can be carried. | ||
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| + | ===Wheel backspacing=== | ||
A 4.75"-5" wheel backspacing will give a good fit in the rear wheelwells when using the 1978-'88 Monte Carlo rearend at the stock width. | A 4.75"-5" wheel backspacing will give a good fit in the rear wheelwells when using the 1978-'88 Monte Carlo rearend at the stock width. | ||
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