Trans or rearend?

[Impalaguru]

Hi Everyone,
Did something stupid today, I either broke my trans or my rear end. I was egged on to "get on it" and I did and all I got was a big SNAP! I can get the '63 into all 4 gears including reverse, but she won't go anywhere. When I put the car in gear the majority of the noise comes from the rear end, and when the car is in gear the drive shaft spins, but the car doesn't move. I am hoping that the rear is all thats bad but could it still be the trans? I'm still a young guy so I guess I was bound to experience this sooner or later, too bad its the ONLY car I've got! I didn't think the 'ol 409 still had it in her! Any help would be great!
Ross

[60convert]

well one of the nice things about a drop in pumpkin is you can get another one and just spap it in and go. well thats where i would start. well you found the weak spot.
Jesse

[Gus68]

well one of the nice things about a drop in pumpkin is you can get another one and just spap it in and go. well thats where i would start. well you found the weak spot.
Jesse

Hey guys!!! Yes thats what I would do, just get another center section and throw it in. Of course if you had a posi and what to keep it you will have to rebuild it or find another one (That might be hard to find). I think that is the only thing that kinda sucks about these cars is their WEAK rear ends, There are companys out there that have parts to make these rears stronger, but even if you install all the latest aftermarket parts you STILL have a small rear. I myself am in the process of installing a Ford 9" in my 62.

[dq409]

BALONY GUS !! There not small they just need a few minor mods to make them better.
Check out Aubrey`s goodies that can make this rear a strong one. He has one in a `55 Chev behind a built 427 !!
Enter then go to "Our Products"
Bruneau Performance (http://www.bruneauperformance.ca/intro.html)

[Bungy]

dq is right on. Aubrey's rear end kit will make it better then a 9" Keep that F*rd junk out of your nice Chevy.

[jester]

dq is right on. Aubrey's rear end kit will make it better then a 9" Keep that F*rd junk out of your nice Chevy.

And if you still want to change that bugger, go mopar. they're almost as strong and about 300lbs lighter. Have a great day...

[walkerheaders]

Hi Everyone,
Did something stupid today, I either broke my trans or my rear end. I was egged on to "get on it" and I did and all I got was a big SNAP! I can get the '63 into all 4 gears including reverse, but she won't go anywhere. When I put the car in gear the majority of the noise comes from the rear end, and when the car is in gear the drive shaft spins, but the car doesn't move. I am hoping that the rear is all thats bad but could it still be the trans? I'm still a young guy so I guess I was bound to experience this sooner or later, too bad its the ONLY car I've got! I didn't think the 'ol 409 still had it in her! Any help would be great!
Ross

been there, done that. it was an axle wrung off.

[Dan Hunt]

dq
let me know when your taking that 9 inch out of your 62 and putting in that 10 bolt (piece of glass)chevrolet.I have a friend in Portland that will come over and take it off your hands for me.
I've broken every thing in a 10 bolt that there is.
The last straw was when I bought a Henry's spool and axles with bearing caps for my ss/p 55 Chevrolet.I BROKE IT. That was with a 265 3spd.I replaced that with a 57 Olds with Summers Brothers spool axles and bearing caps and never had a problem.I don't know much, but I do know about 10 bolt rear ends.Hell I even broke an axle in a 63 348 with a pg.

[dq409]

Dan, There ain`t no stinkin` 9" under my `62 !!! All stock with Dutchman axles and Bruneau Performance bearing girdles !! :D

When I recoup some money and have enough I`ll get the complete up-grade kit and sell my Duchman axles.
,,,,, dq

[Dan Hunt]

dq
I apologize.I thought you posted pictures of the bottom of your car with a 1 piece drive shaft and a 9 inch.When I went looking for them I found some of your other posts on your 10 bolt changes. :bow SORRY

[CDNpontiac409guy]

Geez, I didn't know you guys were talking about me in here :p

Dan, my new 30 spline ( Mopar 8 3/4" ) splined Henry's spool will be here on Monday.
Remember...
The days of the 9000 RPM launch with a 60 lb flywheel and a "grab or die" clutch are history :cheers

Here's the axle change:

DonD... do you think you'll break the rear ? :deal

[dq409]

Dan, you`d better be sorry !!!! :D

No big deal ,,,,just had to rib ya!

I`m hoping that my setup will hold out long enough until it gets the complete up-grades.

From what I can tell the major problems are the weak axles and bearing caps.
The Dutchmans are just stock up-grades (race axles but same spline numbers) and he won`t guarantee or even put his sticker logo on them !

But much stronger then the originals,,,,,dq

[Gus68]

Hey guys!! Im not here to piss anyone off, BUT have you ever compared a STOCK old 10bolt axle to a STOCK Ford 9" axle???? Even a 28 spline ford axle is bigger not to mension the 33 spline. Don't get me wrong, Im a chevy guy all the way, but you have to admit, for the money the 9" is the way to go. It is like the small block chevy of the rear end world. They are cheap, easy to find, (even a posi or a locker is preyy easy to come by, ever tryed to find a posi for your 62?) And the aftermarket is FULL of parts for them. I recently picked up my used 9" with 33 spline axles, 3.70 gears. and a posi for 35 bucks at my local dirt ball junk yard, and its only 1/2 in wider than the chevy. Just my 2 cents.

[CDNpontiac409guy]

Gus, these things aren't really like the "10 bolt" that everyone associates that term with. The actual 65 and up 10 bolt is a far cry from the earlier rear. The 4 spider posi is ABSOLUTELY SUPERIOR to even a 12 bolt posi unit. Simply do the 30 spline side gear up-grade, and you're rock'n.

As for the "belly button" 9 inch... WASTED HORSEPOWER. The pinion contacting the ring gear like a worm and sector... just not an efficient method of power transmission. Heat, friction.... not to mention the low mounted pinion in relation to the Chevy chassis can cause a world of alignment problems.

Wanna race ? ;)

[fatride]

100,000 racers can't be wrong! 9" Ford rears are still the preferred rear of thousands of professional race car drivers, be it NASCAR, NHRA or IHRA. I have a Moser 31 spline 4.11 with a NASCAR no spin (Detroit Locker) rear. I now have no worrys about gernading my rear! Parts are easy to get. I did not have any problems with alingment. I agree that the old style 10 bolt can be made to withstand big horse. With me it was a matter of convenience, 9 " rears are easier to find and there made in the good ole USA.
:deal

[Gus68]

Hey Guys!!! Yes I have to agree that the older 10 bolts are very different from the 65 and up 10 and 12 bolts, but arent the old 10 bolts smaller, like 7.5 or so??? compared to an 8.2 10 bolt in the 65s and up. I am curious though, What is differnt about the "old" 10 bolt posi that makes it "superior" to the later 12 bolt design??? Also where does a guy find the 30 spline spiders and axles for the old rear and how much do they cost??? And where would a guy find a posi unit and what are they worth used???? Which cars were more likely to have a posi??? A freind of mine found one in a 63 four door for free.