i dont know if anyone will know this but here is goes. ive been looking for an 8.5 in 10 bolt for my s10 since im putting a 350 into it soon. i know that some of the early novas and such came with 8.5 10 bolts that have leafs springs. the s10 rearend is 54 1/2 inches wide. is there an 8.5 that i can find that has leafs that is close to the same width? if it is an inch or so off that is not bad. 1/2 in each side would not be noticable. Could i make something like this work? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...908883219&rd=1 i do plan on building the rearend up before i put it in. if anybody could help me out or give me some info i would greatly apreciate it. thanks, Jonathan

 

Why don't you just email the seller on ebay and ask them to measure the width of that rear? Hopefully someone with more knowledge can help you out though. Sorry I can't give more info.

 

8.5 inch rears came stock in some s-10's mostly newer ones with the 5 speed, i got one stock with my 2000, as well as several others i know. also the 4x4's come with them too, but are wider. that would prob. be your best option to find a used one, but they are pricey.

 

Friend of mine got a S10, and it ended up having a 8.5 in it also. he found out the hard way when he ordered gears for a 7.5 and the mechanic called him and asked about it. His had a 5 speed also, and v6 of course.

 

ive been searching the net and havnt really found anything. i did email the guy about how wide the rearend is. i know someone who can change the spring perches on it and build it for me. if anybody finds one specifically for an s10 and wants to sell it let me know.

 

so what the heck was GM thinking when they put an 7.5 in an Fbody and an 8.5 in an S10???

 

haha i has no clue.

 

on a side note, does that mean you could pull an 8.5 out of an S-10 and bolt it right into an f-body? (not taking the lack of a posi and what not into consideration)

 

What about the GN's and T-types. Didn't those and cars like em have a 8.5 in the rear? Maybe I'm wrong or crazy. You could probably find something out of a Monte Carlo or Regal, maybe not though.

 

you could in theory but they are alot shorter then an f body rear, so it would prob. cost just as much to get to work as a 12 bolt or 9 inch.

 

the GN's and t-types did not sure on the monte's the width would prob be closer for an f body.

 

if i could find something close by like and inch or so off i could make it work. if anyone knows any rearend length for the 8.5 if you could let me know it be great.

 

how fast do you need that measurement, i can always measure mine for you, but its sitting in the shop right now. where at in MD are you at ? i m in Mont county. do you want flange to flange ? i m actually swapping the drums out right now for a set of disc brakes which from looking over everything will pull each side in an extra 1/4 inch or so.

 

im in the overlea area. do you know someone who has an extra 8.5 sitting around? if i cant find one the will bolt in i guess i will build my 7.6. im just afraid of putting $1000 into a rearend that may selfdestruct

 

Don't do that then. Whenever you finally find one you'll be glad you waited. No need in putting so much cash into something you already know isn't up to the task from the get go. You'll just regret it later.