The 1st gen Nova 1962-65 and the 2nd gen Nova 1966-67 are the ones that have the rear housing narrower, and are 8.2" The 1968-1974 Nova is a direct bolt in rear-end. 68-71 were 8.2", 72 and up should be 8.5" The Ventura's are also the same. I have heard but don't know for sure that the 8.5" has a longer pinion so it will require the drive-shaft to be shortened. The 8.2" 10 bolt and the 12 bolt are the same as the Firebird so no drive-shaft mod is needed other than maybe the U-joint. When I put the 12 bolt in my 69 it was a bolt in swap with a u-joint change only. I just picked up an 8.5" 10 bolt, 3:43 gears, posi on Craig's for $600. Had it checked out by my rear-end guy and said it was in great shape. So they are out there if you look. I will know about the drive-shaft shorting in a few weeks when I install my 8.5" http://www.novaresource.org/axle.htm
