How difficult is it for one person and a floor jack to remove?
I figure,
cut the brake hose,
undo the shocks
detach from the back frame (the arms & panhard rear)
and that's it.
Possibly detach sway bar, too.
IF the gear ratio is higher (lower numerically) than my 3:42, I can just swap gears onto that other carrier, correct (I realize the others gears should be a 3 series)?
I am looking for cheap, quick disc brake conversion set up. Posi is a plus, tho!
AND which year F body had the best gas tanks? The ones with better internal baffles to keep gas around the fuel pump during hard turns?


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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

Yep, it's cake, as long as you don't find any rusted-solid bolts. Definately leave the sway bar on the axle when you pay! Chances are you'll find that rear under a trans am or Z28 or a similar WS6 car. Also, put the tires back on the axle, and just roll the axle down to the office in front. When you get there, take the tires off (walk 'em back if they want you to), and just pay for the axle.

The gears should swap over fine, too. If you want, you could remove your current axle's carrier and install it in the new axle, that way you don't have to worry about series 2 or 3.

82-88 rear discs have a problem; GM released a recall and TSB info on them. The return spring in the piston doesn't "return". If you can, find an 89-92 disc rear. Those are the best, and you can re-use your existing J50 (disk/drum) master cylinder. Only the 82-88 rear discs required a separate MC for J65 (4 wheel disk). Grab the prop valve too. GM still sells 'em for $80.

I rebuilt my passenger side caliper, but had to buy a new driver's side one. The driver's side was rusted too badly inside to be rebuilt. My rebuild kit was $12, and it was easy to do. I still need to put the TSB parts into the calipers, though... my rear brakes don't grab for crap.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Hi Tom,
Thinking a bit, how about grabbing what ever unit I MAY find, then swaping calipers?
I'll have to re-read the part about the carrier tip.
I like the tire idea LOL!
Since I've never done this, that idea never dawned on me.
I've only gotten rear axles from people and once behind an abondonded body shop. That one I wish I kept. It was from a 70's Trans Am disc axle. I wanted to use it on my 1967 Camaro, but, it wouldn't fit. I didn't know I could have taken all those parts & swapped them. This was back in 1985, lots of those parts, then. So I sold it for $250. Free money to me.

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

Yes, I think that's possible. I think the flange on the axle tubes stayed the same for all years of 3rd gens. And ya know what; I just remembered: You don't -have- to switch master cylinders. GM released a bulletin about pedal effort that someone dug up- here's the link to it:

https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/...ML/001977.html


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

Way cool response.
I really doubt GM changed anything on the axle housing. It is way cheaper to redesign a caliper to fit the axle, then the other way around.
I can get any year range axle, swap calipers over the counter, keep my master cylinder and use the current power booster, too.
Cheap upgrade to posi, here I come, and with disc brakes!!

NOW
what about gas tanks.
Is the 1LE gas tank the only I can upgrade to?

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA