REAR END SWAP

A

Anonymous

Guest
the only direct bolt in rear is either a stock 8.5 from a olds 442 hurst, buick t-type, and the buick grand national. as far as welding ears on the center, it takes a special kind of welding rod/wire and it is a lengthy process, but it can be done.
 

bowtie81

Moderator
Mar 28, 2008
5,008
0
36
sarnia, ontario canada
hey jorge
this is off the m/r site, hope this helps.

Which rearends can be swapped into the 78-83 Malibu?
The stock 78-88 A/G body rearend housing (housing flange to housing flange) is 52.125". Here is a list of other common rearend dimensions:

Body Style Housing Width
64-67 Chevelle 54.250"
68-72 Chevelle 55.250"
67-69 Camaro 54.250"
62-67 Chevy II 52.125"
70-81 Camaro 55.375"
82-92 Camaro 55.750"
93-up Camaro 59.250"
68-76 Nova 54.250"
78-88 A/G Body 52.125"
Information from Chevy High Performance Magazine 3/2001




Below is a list of common Ford 9" housing widths. NOTE the widths listed below is for AXLE FLANGE TO AXLE FLANGE not housing flange like above!!!

Body Style Housing Width
64-71 Ford (full sized car) 61.0"
67-70 Mustang 59.0"
79-81 Lincoln Versallies 58.5"
79-81 Granada 58.5"

Obviously, some of those are not good swap candidates for a 78-88 A/G body. The 64-72 Chevelle is a good candidate because South Side Machine offers a kit to adapt these rearends to the 78-88 A/G body cars. You will have to use wheels with additional backspacing to compensate for the wider housing. For more swap info, go to the Rearend Swap Tech Page to see your alternatives to replacing the factory rearend in your Malibu.
 

prairiehotrodder

Pro Stocker
Dec 17, 2005
1,576
4
38
48
Melfort Saskatchewan Canada
The 12 bolt truck diff is tough and would work good and parts are common. But as allready mentioned it needs alot of work to go into a malibu. If you really want to use it, I think it wouldn't be to hard to weld in a crossmember ahead of the diff and run ladder bars to it. Then coil-overs on the back. Then cut out all the factory 4-link stuff. I'm sure the diff would also need narrowing.
Brian
 

malibu43

Amateur Racer
Aug 11, 2009
116
0
0
thanks guys for the replies.the rear end its allready in the bu,lots of work,lots of welding,lots of imagination,lots of measurements,but its finally on it,the next step its big wheels10 inches,with 295/50/15.today i stared ,the race its the weekend.
regards
 

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