Thread: is my 56 chevy stock rear ok?

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OK, first post. Pretty handy at doing repairs myself. Trying to save a few bucks too.

So, can I use my stock 10 bolt 8.2 17 spline rear end, and update with 3.73 gears? Eaton makes em, and also has a posi unit for the stock rear too. Are these rears considered HD, or fragile? I will be pushing only up to 380HP to it.
Trying to get my tri-5 to come out a little quicker and maybe leave a patch now and then. (yes, at 45, I still want to smoke em!) I want to do thing right but have a major buget. Sure a 9" ford rear would be great, but will my stock rear hold up?
Many Thanks---Phil.

at 17 spline, I'd call it frajile. but run it till it blows, you then have an excuse to buy a 9"

They're not the toughest rear in the world, but if in good shape they'll handle big-block power as long as you don't get too crazy with tire size, burnouts, and traction aids. For street use they're fine.

Originally posted by fiftee6
OK, first post. Pretty handy at doing repairs myself. Trying to save a few bucks too.

So, can I use my stock 10 bolt 8.2 17 spline rear end, and update with 3.73 gears? Eaton makes em, and also has a posi unit for the stock rear too. Are these rears considered HD, or fragile? I will be pushing only up to 380HP to it.
Trying to get my tri-5 to come out a little quicker and maybe leave a patch now and then. (yes, at 45, I still want to smoke em!) I want to do thing right but have a major buget. Sure a 9" ford rear would be great, but will my stock rear hold up?
Many Thanks---Phil.

buy a 9 inch and be done with it if. you are lucky i have found them with posi in the bone yard for less than $100 28 or 31 spine will do the job

Guess I wouldn't be wasting any money on the stocker, 9" is definitely the way to go. Used to watch the chebbie guys gernade the stockers with a mildly warmed 327. 380 horse should make it's death swift and ungly!!!!!! JMO

The weak part is the axle , If you get any traction on a 1-2 shift it tends to break. The good news is they stay in the houseing when they break Carlg

Thanks for the help guys. I think I will just replace with the new one. More than I wanted to spend, but the right way.
Pat, a question. If I can find one in the yard, how will I know if it will fit? Obviosly I would have to weld where the leafs lie, but what about width? Is there a model or year I would ask for that matches my tri-five?

Phil...