Rear end question for 52 chevy - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

j_johnson · 04-15-2011, 01:57 PM

I am looking for a rear end for my 52 chevy and came across one today. Wanted to know if it would be right in my truck. It a 79 Z-28, 8.5 10 bolt posi rear end 3.42 gears. I plan on running a 350-400hp 350 chevy. Would the width be right too to fit the truck? Thanks

tmoble · 04-15-2011, 04:16 PM

best to measure it. I've had good results with rears 64" and 62" wide. this is from wheel mounting surface to WMS. my truck is a 57 short narrow bed. on my truck I could just barely get by with a 60", but probably would have tire rubbing on the bed issues from time to time.

55dude · 04-16-2011, 07:12 AM

if you have that kind of HP at the rear wheels your gonna want a 9" and have it built to specs with custom axles.

**LEEVON** · 04-16-2011, 11:48 AM

That's exactly the same rear end I have. They can be built plenty strong...there are numerous magazine articles on 8.5 builds. I've run that kind of HP on plenty of stock rear ends. Are you going to be launching on slicks at the track everyday or just driving around? Me, I just plan to use it as-is, not abuse it and be money ahead.

The width is just right, maybe 1" narrower than ideal but as long as you have backspacing in mind when choosing wheels it's a non-issue. It's wider than the S-10 rears. If you need a measurement let me know.

**mr48chev** · 04-17-2011, 01:57 PM

I'm pretty sure it's the same rear end that I have sitting out here waiting to go under my truck this time. A lot of the reason for choosing one rear end over the other outside of bolt pattern and strength is what wheels you intend to run and the back spacing you plan on running.

Rabunjeeper · 04-22-2011, 06:22 PM

Thats the same rear end I have its bolted some monster 375 tires with a 400 horse SBC.

52 Rat · 04-22-2011, 09:26 PM

I have a 70 Camaro 8.5 posi ten bolt rear in my 52. It is 58" backing plate to backing plate. The GM 8.5 ten bolts are very strong. I had several 86 and 87 Grand Nationals and T Types. They have 8.5 ten bolts. On of my GN's made over 500 hp at the rear tires and all I had was a TA cover with carrier cap girdle. I raced this car for five seasons and never had a rear end issue.

04-15-2011, 01:57 PM	#1
j_johnson Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fort Dodge, Iowa Posts: 4	Rear end question for 52 chevy I am looking for a rear end for my 52 chevy and came across one today. Wanted to know if it would be right in my truck. It a 79 Z-28, 8.5 10 bolt posi rear end 3.42 gears. I plan on running a 350-400hp 350 chevy. Would the width be right too to fit the truck? Thanks

04-15-2011, 04:16 PM	#2
tmoble Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Glendale, Az Posts: 1,062	Re: Rear end question for 52 chevy best to measure it. I've had good results with rears 64" and 62" wide. this is from wheel mounting surface to WMS. my truck is a 57 short narrow bed. on my truck I could just barely get by with a 60", but probably would have tire rubbing on the bed issues from time to time.

04-16-2011, 07:12 AM	#3
55dude Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: tacoma wa. Posts: 1,037	Re: Rear end question for 52 chevy if you have that kind of HP at the rear wheels your gonna want a 9" and have it built to specs with custom axles.

04-16-2011, 11:48 AM	#4
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,888	Re: Rear end question for 52 chevy That's exactly the same rear end I have. They can be built plenty strong...there are numerous magazine articles on 8.5 builds. I've run that kind of HP on plenty of stock rear ends. Are you going to be launching on slicks at the track everyday or just driving around? Me, I just plan to use it as-is, not abuse it and be money ahead. The width is just right, maybe 1" narrower than ideal but as long as you have backspacing in mind when choosing wheels it's a non-issue. It's wider than the S-10 rears. If you need a measurement let me know. __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids Last edited by LEEVON; 04-16-2011 at 11:49 AM.

04-17-2011, 01:57 PM	#5
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: Rear end question for 52 chevy I'm pretty sure it's the same rear end that I have sitting out here waiting to go under my truck this time. A lot of the reason for choosing one rear end over the other outside of bolt pattern and strength is what wheels you intend to run and the back spacing you plan on running.

04-22-2011, 06:22 PM	#6
Rabunjeeper Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Clayton Ga Posts: 8	Re: Rear end question for 52 chevy Thats the same rear end I have its bolted some monster 375 tires with a 400 horse SBC.

04-22-2011, 09:26 PM	#7
52 Rat Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 291	Re: Rear end question for 52 chevy I have a 70 Camaro 8.5 posi ten bolt rear in my 52. It is 58" backing plate to backing plate. The GM 8.5 ten bolts are very strong. I had several 86 and 87 Grand Nationals and T Types. They have 8.5 ten bolts. On of my GN's made over 500 hp at the rear tires and all I had was a TA cover with carrier cap girdle. I raced this car for five seasons and never had a rear end issue. __________________ My build project http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4158671

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