So the rear end is the last piece of the drive train left to do. I had been thinking of a 3.55 posi for a while and just now started checking details. Currently have a 2.78 so it will need a different carrier, what is the easiest/cheapest way to get hold of one?

From my previous junkyard cruises there aren't to many first gens sitting around in them, would it be easier to just pull the whole rear end from like a 70+ bird/bonni/grand prix, then swap the internals to correct ratio/posi? Would there be any fitting issues there?

Your best bet is a new aftermarket carrier. Most originals in parts cars are worn out.

I went thru this two years ago. I used a corporate 8.5 rear end. There are many of them around. The corporate rear uses C clips, and a shaft seal for the axle tubes, unlike the 8.2 in your car now, which has 4 bolts to remove the axles.

You would need to remove the perches and have new ones relocated in the correct spot. Make sure end to end length of the rear matches what you currently have.

My conversion was easy, but I had a welder who has done this before. He bolted the old rear to a table, and created a jig, to perfectly match the new perches on the 2nd gen rear.

Nova's thru 1974 will work also.

With an after market carrier I assume just use my axle tubes in it and that it? Know of a good source?

Depending on the cost I may just find a 8.5 rear, there are tons of them around from the looks of it.

Nothing is guaranteeing that the used 8.5 rear end isn't worn out too. Most of them need a new carrier so you are not going forward by buying another used rear end that needs work.

Auburn and Eaton are good carriers. Summit is a good source for them. You would need the carrier, installation and bearing kit, and gears. I have seen the whole package for around $750 on eBay.

Rod, now in Anchorage...a little different from San Antonio? and northern Italy...lol

I got lucky, I bought the 8.5 rear (whole unit), with brand new eaton 3.42 gears for $300. Another hundy for the welding mods, and I was good to go.

I found a good unit in a crashed police cruiser in the junk yard. It was low miles because of the crash. I used it in my truck and it works great. They are very hard to find in good condition. To find a good old 8.2 unit would be even harder to find.

You have a good memory there Bjorn. I will say one thing, my Bird has been well traveled. Anchorage is pretty nice though, not like you'd think.

I got a quote from a local shop for $1100 for everything to get the rear end swapped, including labor, so I might just do that. If not then I'll look around. Thanks for the info guys.

thanks Rod, ...
yes, I think my memory is good...my wife doesnt agree...but what does she know..lol

$1100 sounds ok...

I'll tell ya what, I have a posi carrier for a 99-03 G.M. Truck, with only 30 miles on it.

You can have it for $150.00