probably a lame question but whatever. i cant find any info saying whether or not 1st gen firebirds came with 12 bolts. i need a 12 bolt for my 69 firebird.(or a 10 bolt that would support 550lbs tq.)also, does anybody know if the 69 z28s that had the 302 w/410s in the back had a 12 bolt or was it a ten bolt. basically, im just trying to save money and buy a used housing rather than a brand new one. can anyone point me in the wrong direction? thanks

i know 1st gen birds did NOT come with 12 bolts, i can't help you on the other stuff, sorry

ok thanks. i'll keep looking

If you can find a 12 bolt that came in a FG Camaro or a Nova SS ('68-'70), you can put that under your '69. If you have a manual transmission, you'll need the strength of the 12 bolt, but if you have an auto, a well prepared 8.5" 10 bolt will handle quite a bit of power.

The standard FGF 10 bolt has an 8.2" ring gear and in the days of slippery tires, was adequate. With the much stickier tires we have now, a stronger alternative is definitely needed!

High HP, low gear Firbirds came with the HD nodular 4 pinion Posi 8.2 rear. They came with ratios from 3.55 and up and have a large "N" embossed on the top of the center carrier.

I have the 3.55 version under my car.

Some say the HD 4 pinion 8.2 is a strong as a 12 bolt Chevy rear.

The Z/28, 302 Camaro did come stock with the 12 bolt rear end.

Tom

I'm not positive but I'm pretty sure that the Nova interchange includes up to at least 74. I have a 71 Nova rear in mine.

yeah im putting in a 5-speed. can i buy a replacement 12 bolt for the z28 from any manufacturers or do i need to go to a salvage yard?
thanks

I have a 69 bird and at least since 79, the car has had a 12 bolt, 4.10 posi. I assumed it might not be stock. Is everyone here 100% sure that the 12 bolt never came stock?

For the 12 bolts Ive seen on ebay go for nearly a grand, I would think a guy is better off buying a new one or a 9" for two grand. Though a guy may luck out and find one locally or at a salvage yard. My local yard has a dana 60 made to fit but it has the full floater wide 5 stock car style hub,drums.

The 12 bolt never came stock in a Firebird.

The 8.2 can handle what it was designed for, and the HO nodular can handle more, probably about the same as the Chevy 12 bolt.

What's best is what you can afford to build, break, and replace. You can break anything if you try hard enough.

I have an 8.2 w/ a nodular housing and 4 pinion posi and 3.90's .all rebuilt with aftermarket axles will handle all the torque that the 455 in my can throw at it and takes less torque to turn as opposed to a 12 bolt.

Jeremy

were would the n be cast on the rear end ?

on the top of the gear carrier, above the driveshaft yoke. It's a big raised letter, 1 1/2" or so high, you can feel it if you can't see it. You can just see it in this photo.

yeah it might take ll the torque of your 455, but probably not the 461 im building from butler performance. i think im going to go with a 8.5" out of a nova.

cough- 12 bolt -cough

i dont know. theyre really expensive and i was over at your dads last night and he and i were looking at the 8.5" and there are guys running them that are running in the 8's. so im going to get a 8.5 and put in new gears and posi, maybe axles, i dont know, and then just run it using that rear end until it breaks. if it doesnt, well thats good.

whats a nodular rear end worth ?

I've seen then sell for over $1K.

I snuck my nodular 8.2 out of the scrapyard for $500. All they knew was that it was off of a 4-speed car.

Even I did not notice the "N" until the rear had bee sandblasted and powdercoated. Look for a 3.55. 3.91 or 4.33 code and you might find one.

You may also want to read this thread:
http://216.178.81.108/forums/showthread.php?t=449623&highlight=nodular

i just checked my 68 firebird parts car an it has a nod iron rearend in it . since it has that does it mean its a posi ? the car had a 4 speed in it an i do think it was factory . i think the car also had a 4oo as it has a lot of thing that a 400 car would have ?

Manual trans HO cars had nodular rears; I believe TAs had the nodular rears, and probably manual trans Ram Airs. Regular 400 4 bbls did not come with the nodular unless the HD axle was ordered. It's itemized on the PHS.

Gear ratio on the nodulars was 3.55 and numerically higher. What's the letter code on the axle tube? That will tell you the gear ratio and whether or not it's posi.

How far gone is your parts car? Did you ever check its PHS?