Does anyone know of any rear ends that are fairly easy to swap into the cutlass that already have disc breaks etc? I am in a spot where that might be cheaper than updating the gears in my 8.2. Thanks in advance.

 

If by "easy" you mean "bolt in", the only "easy" swap is a custom aftermarket A-body axle housing with disk brakes. It is possible to adapt later model disks (Trans Am and Eldorado have been used), but that requires some fabrication and adaptation of backing plates to your stock housing. There is no bolt-in housing that you will find in a wrecking yard with disk brakes.

 

Also, your thread title states this is a 71'.
71' came with an 8.5 and not an 8.2. Was this swapped sometime in the past?

 

Im not sure. I thought my car had a 8.5 as well...It turns out that its an olds 8.2. I purchased the car from the original owners son who a friend of mine has known for some time. The owners said that they never changed the rear end..so who knows....I was just thinking out loud as far as a rear end swap was concerned. I have the ability to weld and fabricate etc...so I was just hoping I could use something else that came with everything I wanted and be ahead of the game cost wise...

 

I think you got a 8.5. Are you saying it's a 8.2 because of the "ears"?

 

There are two different castings and rear covers for the 71-72 8.5". One of them looks like a BOP 8.2",but is not.

 

The diff guy said because of a bump in the cover it was an 8.2.

 

Find yourself a new Diff guy. Your current one is misinformed.


If your car has its' original rear end it is an 8.5" 10 bolt with bolt in axles.

 

Sheesh. Have a look at the side of the center section and see if there's one rib or two.

One rib or two converging ribs means 8.2" 10 bolt:



Two parallel ribs means 8.5" 10 bolt:

 

Fun71....thanks for the info...im no expert but im pretty sure I can figure it out now LOL....that's the best and easiest way ive run across to determine which axle ive got...its even got me wanting to go to work early and look!...but I think ill have some coffee first...