Rear end help for a a-body scamp

[motorheadmark00]

Hey im a young gun and new to the forums im rebuit a nice la 318 redid everything but to make a long story short i now need a rear end i live in illionis i dont really know what to go wit i got a 904 transmission the 318 is making around 340 hosepower and i plan to run some power adders whats the best rearend i can put in there for a 76 plymouth scamp where and what should i go to get it i live in the subarbs around chicago illionis.

[hemivaliant]

First off welcome to the board.

I'd put a 8 3/4 in it from another A-body. There getting a little tough to find these days in salvage yards. They are still out there if you're willing to spend some time looking. What you'll need to be looking under are 72' and earlier A-bodies with a V-8. Now that doesn't mean you won't find one in a slant 6 car but it will have to be a fleet service vehicle. You know, something like a taxi, old govt. car, etc. 8 3/4 rear ends can been found at swap meets too but some people treat them like they have gold.

Maybe some of the members on this board in the windy city area can help you locate one.

Good luck in your hunt.


HV

[motorheadmark00]

Thanks for the feed back hopefully i can find one or somebody on the board has one (motorheadmark)

[dave571]

The problem is You'll have to get axles made(or modified), as there is no such thing as a big bolt pattern 8 3/4 for an A body.

Cheaper plan would be the 8 1/4. Should take what you have in mind, and much more easily available than an 8 3/4.

Very popular diff in the 73 to 76 (big bolt) a bodies, and should be easy to find.

There is no doubt that the 8 3/4 is stronger, but there is equally no doubt that it will cost you more, and be harder to find.

[frederick_76]

If you cant find a 8 3/4 rear you can make a 8 1/4 handel the 340 hp. your 318 will be making. There not that bad of a rearend. Thats my opinion......

[dwc43]

You can use an 8 1/4 from any A body '73 - '76 and ones from an F body Volare' or Aspen '76 - '80. The 8 1/4 was the replacement for the 3/4 and is very equal in strength. With a sure grip added it will take all your 318 can give it and tehn some. We have used them on 400 plus hp dirt cars with out any problems and dirt racing is harder on parts than any other form of racing, so they will take plenty of abuse.

[69ROADRUNNER69]

yeah im DWC is right, Im in the same shoes with my 74 valiant i still havnt found out what i need!.. And the bad part is that i have a 7 1/4! so i guess Im on the look out now for one~!

[dartswinger74]

dont forget 1st generation dakotas. A lot of them had 8 1/4 with sure grip. The perches are even in the right location for an a body.

[dwc43]

Sorry, forgot about them already, but your right, they will fit.

[jelsr]

If you have your heart set on a 8-3/4 get one from a B, move the perches in to match the A springs and use a little more backspace on the rims. Not rocket science, just don't weld the perches till you have diff centered and nose angle set.

[dave571]

The leafs will give enough, on the scamp to, install the b body diff no welding necessary.(one of the B diffs anyway, there was some year differences on the dimmensions, see tech archives)

Problem is The diff is wider than the right one for the a body, and with the swept wheel opening of the scamp, tire sclearance becomes an issue.

I did it to my 69 dart, and worked it out with offset wheels.

[motorheadmark00]

on using a b-body rearend would my chrysler ralley rims do?

[dave571]

I think you'd have to have them off set at a machine shop.

30 each? Depends on who's doing it.

I had mine widened inward, making the wheel 8" wide, but the ofset on the front side was still the same.



You could cut out the wheel well, and make it look like a factory lightweight car(7 years late). It'd be cool, if done right.