Auto Racing: 1978 chevy malibu/street strip, 1978 chevy malibu, ford rearend

Question
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Followup To, Thanks for the quick response,Since i e-mailed you I took back a rearend i bought at a junkyard that didn't work and as it happened the junkyard man is also a racer.He is selling me a 9" ford rearend for my car. He says it has been shortened and he is doing the nessary fabracations so it will bolt up in my 1978 malibu.He is doing the whole rearend with axles but told me i would have to send axles off to have them shortened but everything else would be ready to bolt in all for 400.00 dollars.Anything you could tell me to check for on the ford rearend to make sure it will work would be appreciated.My e-mail address is badennis9@netscape.net.Also if i need to do anything else to the rearend to make it run straight and last i'd like to know about. Hopeing i didn't make the wrong choice with the ford rearend?%%$#@#$ Please e-mail me with your opinions...
         Thanks
         Bruce Dennis - badennis9@netscape.net

Question -
I have about 450hp in a 355 sbc malibu, 10 bolt rearend.I twisted the brake backplates off powerbraking and have been told i needed a twelve bolt rearend for the extra strength.Can you tell me if their is a twelve bolt from another car/year that will bolt in without doing any fabracating.I've been told they dont make 12 bolts for this year of malibu.If their isn't one can you suggest what rearend i need that will hold up to this motor and a powerglide tranny/with tranny brake. I had this car dyno tested and they told me it has over 500 ft. pounds of tork at the wheels.I'm new to this sport but lovin it but dont know how best to beef up the rearend.Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.....Thanks Bruce
Answer -
HI BRUCE .THIS IS AN EASY ONE ,A '68-'72 CHEVELLE 12 BOLT SWAP ,SOUTHSIDE MACHINE EVEN MAKES A KIT . I'VE USED THE WIDER '68-'72 HOUSING BECAUSE A 15X8.5 WELD WHEEL WITH 4.5" BACKSPACE FITS NEAR PERFECT .THE 12 BOLT REARS AROUND HERE ARE GETTING A BIT SCARCE  BUT BRAND NEW HOUSINGS ARE BEING SOLD BY MOSER.IF YOU WANT TO BYPASS THE SOUTHSIDE KIT ,A BUDGET ALTERNATIVE IS TO SHORTEN THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS  TO 10 3/8THS" BOLT CENTER TO BOLT CENTER THE REST IS NEARLY A STRAIGHT BOLT UP DEAL .YOU CAN ALSO BEEF UP THE LOWER ARMS BY USING 2 SECTIONS OF BUMPER JACK TUBING AND INSERTING THE SECTIONS IN THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS THEN WELDING THEM ,ADD A SET OF URETHANE BUSHINGS AND AN AIR BAG IN THE RH SPRING,AND YOU CAN PUT THE FRONT WHEELS IN THE AIR.SEND ME AN EMAIL ADDRESS.I'LL SHOW YOU MY '81 MALIBU WAGON .FINALLY ,IF YOU CAN'T FIND A SUITABLE 12 BOLT ,THERE ARE 9 INCH FORD REARS AND RECENTLY RELEASED ...DANA 60 REARS ,THESE WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF $2000 I'D SAY .GOOD LUCK AND WELCOME ABOARD THE HOTROD EXPRESS .J MAZIO  

Answer
HI BRUCE. IF THE QUALITY OF THE MAN'S WORMANSHIP IS GOOD THEN $400 IS A GREAT DEAL.IF THE REAR HAS BEEN SHORTENED THEN I'D ASK IF AN ALIGNMENT BAR WAS USED TO LINE UP THE HOUSING ENDS FOR REWELDING .THE 9" IS A GOOD CHOICE IF IT'S DONE CORRECTLY.HERE'S AN EBAY LINK FOR A 9" PROPERLY SET UP FOR THE A OR G BODY .IT ALONE HAS A PRICE OF $285. I'D RECOMMEND THE FORD "DAYTONA PINION SUPPORT" IN ALUMINUM OR IRON AND IF IT'S STREET DRIVEN A DETROIT LOCKER IS ALWAYS ONE OF THE BEST "POSI S "http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7935018608&categor        SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM PICTURE ,YOUR HOUSING SHOULD LOOK LIKE THAT WHEN IT'S DONE . THANKS ,KEEP ME POSTED . THERE'LL BE A PIC OF MY WAGON IN YOUR E MAIL . J MAZIO