8.75 Rear End Damage

[RusTy/SE]

The bodywork is nearly finished on my 1970 U-code R/T SE Challenger so i'm readying the rear end assembly for cleanup and rebuild before the reinstall on this car that will see use as a long distance cruiser.

A couple of items point to a hard former life. There is a '741' center section instead of the correct '489' unit along with outward protruding lumps on the outside of the housing which leaked axle grease when turned bottom side down so i don't know if that can be repaired. Should the rear be replaced or repaired? Although i have neither the skills nor the tools to accomplish the repairs i'd definitely go that route if possible. I'm in uncharted territory here so all opinions are welcome.

Thanks in advance, Russ

[AKcharger]

Hey there Russ

Well I gotta' tell ya' I've never seen the rear of the axle get holes in it before...wierd. If you have lots of $$ I suspect you could just get another complete rearend. If you're on a budget however, (or like me where shiping is outragious) I'd suggest having the center section repaired by hammer/dolly the dents, weld the holes and fill with JB weld. coat of semi-gloss black paint, you'd be done. I'd suspect $150-$200 job. The 741 get a bad rap but unless you're putting 1000 HP to the rear wheels I'd be happy with it.

Good luck!

AK

[Smokey Bear]

A new axle housing might be hard to find or expensive. I assume you are going to tear it down and "ready" it for long distance cruising as stated, so when you pull the pig and axles out, take the housing to a welder and have him fix it.

[Nacho-RT74]

A new axle housing might be hard to find or expensive.

I don't think so, really

[Smokey Bear]

They got em on every corner down there? 

70 E body correct housing: Way cheaper and easier to fix the one he has considering it's a minor repair.