I have a 69 cutlass with a 350 2 barrel automatic 2 speed and 2.56 gears a guy offered me a 3.42 anti-spin rear end out of a 72 cutlass been sitting 10 years in a field he wants 300 bucks for it any thoughts of is it a deal does it pay for my application?

 

Cheap price, open it up and have a look first. Confirm the ratio, it will wake up your acceleration a bit, a 3 or 4 speed auto would be a big help, but it depends on your usage.

 

The guy I am buying it from bought the car brand new and is parting it out now and scraping the rest so it is a 3.42 anti-spin rear end cause he ordered it that way so didn't know if it is worth it or not.

 

I'd say go for it, and see if he's gonna sell the trans and crossmember, too!
Total bolt-in!
Engine would be an improvement, too - higher compression!!

 

Compression was lower in '72, 8.5:1. If in good condition it is worth double what he is asking.

 

If you get the rear you're going to need to do something with the driveshaft one way or another. The 72 yoke is a different length than the 69 yoke so the length of the driveshaft has to change the same amount.

 

The rear is in good shape I bought it last night. Sounds like I am getting his 455 that is in it and the turbo 400 car ran and drove fine til the day he parked it said there is a shift kit in the tranny. Sounds like my 350 is going to get swapped someday.

 

Get the driveshaft too.The 71-72 8.5" 10-bolts use a shorter driveshaft because those rears have a longer pinion snout.Remove the cover,drain the fluid,and see what you have.I would highly suggest putting new bearings & seals in the whole thing,while it is out of the car.

 

Yeah I got the driveshaft last night. When I have it ready to put in will my driveshaft work or what do I need to do to use it until I do the full swap?

 

Even your existing driveshaft,for the TH350 trans,will be too long.You would need to take about 3/4" off of it,for it to work with the 8.5" 10-bolt.

 

Rite now I have the 2 speed jetaway so I can not just put this rear end in for now? Is what your saying? That sucks if so I was hoping to see what kind of difference the 3.42 gears would make

 

NO.You will need a shorter shaft.

 

Can I use the driveshaft I got with it from the 400? or is that not compatible? I appreciate the help I don't know much on this end

 

NO.It will be too short with your Jetaway.You can measure the 2 shafts,but I think the differences are too much.

 

That sucks! Sounds like I need to put the 400 in rite away

 

Maybe you could find someone parting a 71-72 Cutlass 2-dr,that you could get the driveshaft from.From what I remember,the 2-spd Jetaway,and the TH350 are the same length,so a typical 71-72 Cutlass 2-dr,with the Th350,would have the correct length shaft.They all came with the 8.5" rear,and the engine/trans placement was the same for 68-72.If I get a chance,I will measure one of mine,so you know what length of shaft is correct.

 

That would be great. I appreciate that very much!

 

I have my new rear installed. It made a pretty big difference going from 2.56 to 3.42 next step is to get rid of the jet away for a th350 thanks to everyone for there help.