Well, I finally had a chance to put in a new 8 inch rear end with 3.55 gears. It was much more of a project than I expected, all due to one bolt that I spent about 7 hour fighting with. While I was under there, I put in a new set of leaf springs as well as shocks. I'm waiting on my brake lines to be delivered so I haven't had a chance to see how the new gears are. I also got to put on the new rims and tires today. Man what a difference in overall appearance wheels make.

I've attached before and after pics. The before pic is the day I bought it last June. The after pic is from today.

Gotta say that I pretty happy with the overall progress- lots of hard work is starting to pay off!






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Who needs brakes! Go test drive that thing
Kip

 

Looks like youve been busy. Nice work, pretty car!!! What bolt was it? Could it not have been persuading using a saw or torch or act of God?

 

It was the bolt at the front of the driver side leaf. Over the course of the fight, I snapped the extension off of a ratchet, went through about 10 sazall blades and several drill bits. I cut it in 3 different places. It had become fused to the frame over the past 40 years. I then attempted to drilled it out and finally persuade it out with a sledge hammer.

 

I believe thats the infamous bolt that nearly everyone has trouble with. Looks good though man, love the wheels, they're the ones I want haha.

 

You've always got the emergency brake.

 

wow.. both of mine came right out!

 

Those bolts are the cause of many hours of srtuggle. Once thought to be a simple task, once one runs into the front spring eye bolts, the fun begins. I had the same issue. Along with many others here. I have a scar on my arm from flying debris from a metal cutoff blade distintegrating. Not a good day, but it is done!

 

Flying molten rubber from the bushings don't feel too pleasant either on the arm.

What size rubber do you have on there Ascola?

 

Tires are 225/60/R14

I bought the rims (Cragar) and tires off a guy last fall for $150. I like the way they look. I personally don't like big tires on a classic. I have a jeep with fat tires, so that satisfies my rubber fix.