Blue442

All,

I'm looking for some help identifying this rear. It is in a '65 442. I believe it's a '65 BOP (Pontiac variant). I think it has an open carrier with 3.23 gears. Will be looking at going to 3.55 gears with a posi. I believe both the gears and posi carrier are readily available new.

Thanks,
Scott

66-3X2 442

That's a B axle,the P axle has the converging ribs. The parts will interchange between the two. The P axle is the better of the two because of the extra reinforcing rib.

Blue442

Thanks 66 3x2 442

monzaz

Again....NOT trying to step on toes here just get the info out there.
That is the First True Pontiac housing casting number 9779822 It has a casting number on the bottom of the housing...It is Pontiac not Buick.
It has a single vertical rib on the passenger side of the pinion if you look in the picture.
It also was the first yet for the upper control arm bushing to be the same size as all the rest.
Buick also redesigned their housing (BUICK is lower left and right ribbing / wing... rib) with larger upper control arm bushings also.
The yoke seal is 8620 on the Buicks National part number. 1.645" (or yoke OD seal shaft surface) and outer was 2.66" to housing ID or seal metal OD
The yoke seal on the Pontiacs were 2043 Timkin part numbers (seal surface on a Pontiac was 1.94 (or yoke OD seal shaft surface) and 2.766 to the housing ID or seal metal OD
I am pretty sure we had a whole discussion on this one year only rear that I first thought was a Oldsmobile rear till we got the casting number and I was sure you said it was a Pontiac casting number.
As I remember and someone can dig up the thread etc.
NOW whether this 9779822 casting uses the 8620 or the Pontiac 2043 mi can not remember as it is a 1 year housing only Then in 1966 Pontiac had designed the 2 diagonal converging rib housing we are all familiar with vwhich ALL are 2043 pinion seal. I might still have one of these casting housing on the shelf.... GTO guys go gaga for these as it was the only true GTO rear, if your making a number matching PONTIAC car. I am sure Oldsmobile used it for their HP cars too IN 65 like the 442.
So Blue442 - Look and see if the casting is on the bottom of the casting...If it does i am sure your going to find that casting number. 1965 only Pontiac rear. 60" drum to drum width and 54.25" flange to flange housing width with large upper control arm bushings flat spring perch mounts.
Jim
JD

Blue442

Jim,

Thanks for the confirmation. My friend Wayne and I will set up the rear for a local guy who's restoring his 442. We were pretty certain it is a Pontiac rear but not positive. Wayne said he'd already talked to you and was going to order the parts from you either today or very soon. We'll check the numbers on the bottom as you suggest as soon as the rear is delivered to Wayne.

Thanks,
Scott

monzaz

So if it is a 442...It would likely have gotten this Pontiac rear. Olds used the Pontiac rear for the higher performance cars up till they came out with their own 12 bolt cover 8.5 Olds rear.
Jim

monzaz

even THE STAMPING IS IN THE oldsmobile SPOT ...UPSIDE DOWN BACK SIDE OF PASSENGER AXLE TUBE. oops caps on. sorry
SE 3.23 open

Blue442

I just took some additional pictures for folks who may be interested. Note the Pontiac casting number. 9779822

monzaz

E 25 5 MAY 25th 1965 casting date
Just a 1 year casting...If you look at the bearing caps they are WIDE BUT they lack the < and > sign on the bearing caps arches as all 8.2 Pontiac 10 bolt rears had. PONTIAC caps were VERY stout on these 65 - 72 rears wide and thick.
JIm
JD

monzaz

Also extra note on the Frame bump stops. See the metal extensions?? That higher step up over the years I have noted that all Higher powered models and or El camino rears had these added bolt on extra step up for the rubber bump stops. Including Pontiac GTO, Olds 442, chevy SS and El camino, GS buick and maybe other special high performance A body cars 1965-1972 era.