Hello, I recently bought a 23 T bucket. We noticed brake fluid on the rear drum. I need to figure out what the rear end is on this car to figure out what disc brakes I can buy. I was told it was an Olds. Where can I look for marking or how do I tell what it is Thanks. A new T bucket owner.
Help! Can anyone tell me what olds rear end this is?
- Thread starter RonC23T
- Start date
looks like a 55-64 chevy rear end to me. what size are the brake drums? width of shoes?
Russ
Duke
Member
This may help.
http://www.oldsmobility.com/reardiffs.htm
The Oldsmobile, Chevy, GM, and Pontiac are all the same. Type O is the Olds, P the Pontiac, C the Chevy.
http://www.oldsmobility.com/reardiffs.htm
The Oldsmobile, Chevy, GM, and Pontiac are all the same. Type O is the Olds, P the Pontiac, C the Chevy.
I measured the inside of the drum it's 11". also I found the letter c on the driver side and GM also, I also found what looked like 1176 and 3725899 also on the drivers side. The person I bought the T bucket from said it was an olds rear end with corvette drum brakes??? I also counted the bolts on the back where the dif attaches and it has 10. Thanks again for your help.
Differen T
Member
Differen T
Member
Olds used this design on full size cars from 57 to 64. It was also used by Pontiac and Buick and considered a very strong third member in its day and a number of different ratios were available. Chevy used a similar design, but it was a lighter, weaker rear. A good parts man should be able to identify it either from brake lining size and /or bearings and seals. It was the hot set up for drag racers and street rods through the sixties.
Differen T
Member
Sorry I missed the part about Corvette drums, another difference between the Chevy and BOP rear was the diameter of the axles and axle tubes. But, too many years have passed by and I can't recall the measurements, although on your photo the axle tubes look large enough to be a BOP rear.
putz
Member
Finding good parts men any more is like pulling teeth.Big companies take over then the bean counters take over and get rid of the good ones.
fuzzy
Member
The BOP rear axle all had a 5 on 5 bolt pattern. If corvete brakes were added and you have a 4 3/4 on 5 bolt pattern the axles would have to be redrilled. Chevy axles will not fit the Olds rear. That would be the tipoff that it is an Olds rear. If the axles were not redrilled then it is Chevy. And it looks like a Chevy to me. [Imho]
Thanks for all the help. I measured the bolt pattern and it seams it is a 5 x 4 1/2 also I called speedway they said measure the axle plate? So the top two bolt are 3 3/8 apart, the bottom are 3 1/2 apart, and top down bottom is 2 5/8 (all measued at the center) Anyway does this mean anything that can help. Thanks
Buzzard II
Member
It sure looks like a 57-64 Olds rear to me. I think Differn T nailed it. Good luck! Bob
It Looks like a '57 or later to me. One clue would be the axle bearing size. We used to cut the bearing housings off and jig weld them to shortened rear end housings for dragsters in the sixties because they were one of the biggest bearings available at the time.
Ted Brown
Member
One thing it is not, a 57 Olds, The 57 is the rear end I used in my first T Bucket, they are way bigger and a very good looking housing, centered and smooth, and with real big axles... That looks like an earlier housing to me... I myself would not waste the money adapting disk brakes to an 11 inch drum rear brake, as that is hard to beat for stopping power, only a 12x3 inch drum is better... If you want more stopping power, use a smaller master or bigger wheel cyls. works as good as a booster... IMHO 
One thing it is not, a 57 Olds, The 57 is the rear end I used in my first T Bucket, they are way bigger and a very good looking housing, centered and smooth, and with real big axles... That looks like an earlier housing to me... I myself would not waste the money adapting disk brakes to an 11 inch drum rear brake, as that is hard to beat for stopping power, only a 12x3 inch drum is better... If you want more stopping power, use a smaller master or bigger wheel cyls. works as good as a booster... IMHO
Yes Ted, I have to agree with you. On taking another look, it's more like a '55 or '56. As I remember, I think the '57s and later were dimpled at the rear. It's amazing how much you forget over the years.:thinkn:
Ted Brown
Member
That is the truth, my CRS is getting really bad these days, can't remember what or if I ate Breakfast, but still remember my first T Build...
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