rearend question

[tims68charger]

is there much difference between a 8 1/4 and a 8 3/4 rearend.i have a 34 plymouth coupe.i was told a 8 3/4 from a a body would fit just right.trouble is i can't find one.i found a 8 1/4 with the large bolt pattern.my car has a B body rear in it now but it's just alittle too wide.too be honest i never heard of a 8 1/4.i'm not going to race the car,just take to shows and car cruises.thanks,tom

[elacruze]

There is a great lot of difference. Consider the 8-1/4 rear as a slant-6 axle. Drive accordingly and it will be ok-but don't plan on burning rubber or you'll be picking up the pieces. Use it if you have it, but start looking for something else pretty soon.

[FLG]

If your not going to race the car, itll be just fine. Even if you did race, generally without high hp numbers and slicks itll still take a beating.

Its not burning rubber that breaks a rear, its the dead hook 4 spd launching that does. Youd be surprised...id guess a 8 1/4 would last quite awhile behind a 440 auto that dosnt hook up.

[Chatt69chgr]

The 8-1/4 in my 69 charger with 318 had 104,000 miles on it when I took it out (replacing entire drivetrain) and it was in good condition. 

[tims68charger]

my car has a 8 3/4 in it now but it's just alittle to wide.i can find a 8 1/4 for 75.00,i found a 8 3/4 from a a body for 700.00.i would like to just have mine narrowed since it was powder coated,new brakes,drums,etc.plus i would not have to full with the driveshaft.just hard finding anyone local to narrow it.tom

[FLG]

Where are you located? Dr.diff can narrow em.

[RallyeMike]

They originally put the 8-1/4 behind the 383 2bbl in some cars, so it's not just a /6 axle. It's a fine axle for medium duty use and a light car like yours. Certainly the high percentage of failures are probably not HP related but lack of oil. At least that's my experience, and I have run them behind 440s and in small block 4-speed cars.

8-1/4 axles varied greatly in width. The 71-74 B body was the widest. The A-body (Dart, Duster, Demon, etc) was the narrowest. These A-body units are plentiful and if you go with a later year it will be big bolt pattern (73 and up?) (Help me guys if my year cut-off is wrong).

[John_Kunkel]

The 8 1/4" doesn't get much respect but it's a suitable axle for medium-powered V8 installations just like the factory intended.

[tims68charger]

FLG,i live between pittsburgh,pa and the ohio line.i just can't find anyone in the area.the closest i can find is about 150 mi away.

[Cooter]

I got two A-body 8 3/4 rears...Located in Va. one complete, and one torn down...Lemme know.

[tims68charger]

thanks cooter,i may have found something.a guy has a 8 3/4 out of a 74 a body.it would probably cost a small fortune to ship it from va.

[tims68charger]

still looking for a a body 8 3/4 with big bolt pattern

[Cooter]

still looking for a a body 8 3/4 with big bolt pattern

Good luck, as they were never made with big bolt pattern in an A-Body....