71-72 Oldsmobile Rear Axle Carriers
Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 1:54 am
Hello.
I've seen both Oldsmobile and Buick 8.5" 10-bolt rear axle carriers in stock 71-72 Cutlasses & 442's, both in open and limited slip versions. The Oldsmobile carrier with the round axle cover with the brow from the 12 to 3 position, and the Buick carrier with the scalloped ")(" axle cover at the 9 & 3 positions. The Buick carrier also has the single rib and the Oldsmobile have the parallel twin ribs.
Supposedly the gears and limited slip units are the same in either the Olds or Buick carrier. It seems the only difference is the oiling passages that travel near the axle tubes on the Olds carrier and is not present on the Buick carrier - which is why the Buick axle cover with the scallops cannot be used on the Olds carrier.
From what I was told and seen, all of the Lansing built cars received the Olds carrier, as well as those at the Framingham and some other plants. All others received the Buick carriers, no matter if open or limited slip.
In your opinion, which is the better of the two 8.5" 10-bolt carriers - the Oldsmobile or the Buick?
Also, do you have any Oldsmobile 8.5" 10-bolt limited slip rear axles, with 2.56, 2.78, or 3.42 gears, and the round axle cover/twin ribbed carriers? These are for multiple cars.
Thank you,
Anthony
I've seen both Oldsmobile and Buick 8.5" 10-bolt rear axle carriers in stock 71-72 Cutlasses & 442's, both in open and limited slip versions. The Oldsmobile carrier with the round axle cover with the brow from the 12 to 3 position, and the Buick carrier with the scalloped ")(" axle cover at the 9 & 3 positions. The Buick carrier also has the single rib and the Oldsmobile have the parallel twin ribs.
Supposedly the gears and limited slip units are the same in either the Olds or Buick carrier. It seems the only difference is the oiling passages that travel near the axle tubes on the Olds carrier and is not present on the Buick carrier - which is why the Buick axle cover with the scallops cannot be used on the Olds carrier.
From what I was told and seen, all of the Lansing built cars received the Olds carrier, as well as those at the Framingham and some other plants. All others received the Buick carriers, no matter if open or limited slip.
In your opinion, which is the better of the two 8.5" 10-bolt carriers - the Oldsmobile or the Buick?
Also, do you have any Oldsmobile 8.5" 10-bolt limited slip rear axles, with 2.56, 2.78, or 3.42 gears, and the round axle cover/twin ribbed carriers? These are for multiple cars.
Thank you,
Anthony
Jim