are all C3 rear ends the same?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Taft CA
are all C3 rear ends the same?
Hello all,
i was wondering if the center section and the half-shafts of a 78-79 will bolt up to my 71? a guy is selling the complete rear end, trailing arms, disks and calipers, everything. he is also going to give me 2 complete front ends that are still on the front half of the frame, all for $500.00. I'm not worried about the front end stuff as i don't really need that but its a good deal. the reason im getting another rear end is because im having a stroked 383 built and the stock stuff with the small half-shafts is not going to last long with the new motor. thanks for you help.
-tom-
i was wondering if the center section and the half-shafts of a 78-79 will bolt up to my 71? a guy is selling the complete rear end, trailing arms, disks and calipers, everything. he is also going to give me 2 complete front ends that are still on the front half of the frame, all for $500.00. I'm not worried about the front end stuff as i don't really need that but its a good deal. the reason im getting another rear end is because im having a stroked 383 built and the stock stuff with the small half-shafts is not going to last long with the new motor. thanks for you help.
-tom-
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
There's some period in there around 79 that they changed some things from the earlier design, you'll see it broke down in the parts catalogs, I know the leaf spring width changed about that period. I wouldn't worry to much about the halfshafts, you'll tend to brake u-joints before that point. After all the LS-6 and L-88 cars still ran the smaller shafts.
Pat Kunz
Pat Kunz
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Major difference is the rear spring bolts....78-79 used a smaller bolt and wider spring BUT a simple cover change will get you going...
BTW, if you have any 69+up manual steering center link/drag link/relay rods I am looking to purchase some...it would have ONLY three holes. e-mail direct if you have any you want to sell. redvetracr@msn.com
BTW, if you have any 69+up manual steering center link/drag link/relay rods I am looking to purchase some...it would have ONLY three holes. e-mail direct if you have any you want to sell. redvetracr@msn.com
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 10
From: Oakville ON "Real Corvettes have folding tops..."
Believe the major change was in 80. There were some differences in the half shafts u joints. Also carriers were diffeent depending upon geraing groups. But I think a 78 will fit on a 71.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Taft CA
Thanks guys for the info, im going to go ahead and get the stuff. redvetracrfrom what i remember both front ends were power steering, but i will find out for sure. if i do have what your looking for i will let you know.
-tom-
-tom-
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,177
Likes: 3,994
From: Connecticut, USA
They are not all the same. The yokes are different on the earlier to later cars so check to see what you have. The 78 and 79's are prone to failing from loose ring gear bolts, have junk clutches in them, but have good carrier castings. The best thing you can do is build one to suit your application- I would not buy and bolt in a used differential without looking it over- in fact I still wouldn't until I built it.
The 1/2 shafts are better as they are 3" instead of the 2.5" your car had. The rear strut rods are the larger heads too so if you use them tesat fit them in the supports for binding at extreme travel.
If you do a search on my name you'll find a few posts with pictures detailing the rear ends and what goes wrong with them. If you have any questions let me know.
Good luck
The 1/2 shafts are better as they are 3" instead of the 2.5" your car had. The rear strut rods are the larger heads too so if you use them tesat fit them in the supports for binding at extreme travel.
If you do a search on my name you'll find a few posts with pictures detailing the rear ends and what goes wrong with them. If you have any questions let me know.
Good luck
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Taft CA
Yea i was not going to be bolting it right in. the thing is in the guys back yard hidden in tall grass. my plan is to slowly buy all the stuff i would need to build it strong. the rear end in my car is not going to fail right away, at least i hope it doesn't. so im going to have the the new rear end somewhat ready for when the stock one dies. When i did look at it had quite a lot of rust. it may be more trouble than its worth. i think i will take some pics and post them up and see what you guys think. stay tuned
-tom-
-tom-
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 1
From: St Augustine FL
NO...the rearends changed in 78. The 78-82 rearend is designed for ride comfort and can not handle a lot of HP. 68-77 can handle the HP. I have herd many stories of 78-82 mods resulting in twisted rearends. That is what I have been told anyway.
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Verdad Gallardo
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,177
Likes: 3,994
From: Connecticut, USA
Originally Posted by bluesilver82
NO...the rearends changed in 78. The 78-82 rearend is designed for ride comfort and can not handle a lot of HP. 68-77 can handle the HP. I have herd many stories of 78-82 mods resulting in twisted rearends. That is what I have been told anyway.
The 80-82 were aluminum and used all new parts, nowhere as good as a 63-79 differential. Now if you were takling about the rear suspension the only chane was the spring with but the ride was the same. Teh 1/2 shaft were bigger starting in 75 as were the strut rod heads. The rear spindles and bearings are all the same.The 73+ used rubber body mounts instead of aluminum "pucks" and shims.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Taft CA
I have decided to not buy the rear end. I'm just going to run the original one till it brakes and go from there. that way i know it will fit and i don't have to worry about any other factors. Thanks again for all the great info.
-tom-
-tom-