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Chevelle & Ford Rear End Widths

Lower spring mount on 1966 Chevelle.  A bolt and plate arrangement hold the spring in place and the pigtail is the same general diameter as the rest of the spring.

Lower spring mount on 67 and later Chevelles fit over a tower on the rear end and the pigtail is a smaller diameter.

It has been reported that the 1967 model year could have either type of spring mount but I cannot confirm this

Casting numbers found to be the most prevalent in Chevelle 12-bolt rear ends:

1965 Chevelle 3859140N
1966 Chevelle 3875745N
1967 Chevelle 3894939NF
68-69 Chevelle 3917124NF
1969 Chevelle 3959038NF
70-72 Chevelle 3969278NF

As always, there will most likely be some rumor of overlap in numbers but unless you have a build sheet/Protect-O-Plate and can verify the stamped codes as original, who knows? It should also be noted that the 1965 12-bolt is the only one with the diagonal bracing on the center section casting.

Note: Thanks to David Bates for the above information!

According to an old article, Inside '64 -- '72 A-Bodies, (Car Craft Magazine), 1967 was a transition year in that A-body cars might have a 1964-66 style rear end, a 1968-72 rear end (which is wider, and commonly available), or a "hybrid" rear end, which will have the 60.5-inch width, but with the early spring mounting pad and trailing arm brackets. Several late 1966 rear ends with casting number 3875745, one dated L 8 6 (December 8, 1966), have been found in early 1967 Chevelles and retain the retention plates to secure the rear springs.

Measurements taken on 1967 Chevelle rear end for comparison.

Backing plate to backing plate - 53 5/16-inches (+/-).


Outside drum to outside drum - 60-inches (+/-).

Chevrolet

Outside
Width
Year Model
57.75 1962-1964 Chevy II/Nova
57.75 1965-1967 Chevy II/Nova
58.00 1978-1988 Chevy Malibu, Monte Carlo
59.50 1968-1982 Corvette
60.00 1955-1964 Chevy Car
60.00 1967-1969 Camaro
60.25 1968-1979 Chevy II/Nova
60.50 1984-1995 Corvette
60.50 1964-1967 Chevelle
62.00 1955-1959 Chevy Pickup
61.25 1968-1972 Chevelle
62.50 1970-1981 Camaro/Firebird

Ford

Outside
Width
Year Model
57.25 1957-1959 Ford, Ranchero, Station Wagon
57.25 1965-1966 Mustang
58.00 1966-1977 Bronco
58.00 1964-1965 Falcon
58.00 1977-1981 Granada/Versailles
58.50 1977-1981 Versailles
60.00 1958-1960 Edsel
61.00 1964-1971 Ford Full Size
61.00 1949-1951 Mercury
61.25 1957-1972 Ford F-100 Pickup
61.25 1960-1964 Ford Full Size
61.25 1971-1973 Mustang
61.25 1967-1973 Torino, Ranchero, Fairlane
63.00 1970-1979 Ranchero & Torino
63.00 1972-1979 Ford Full Size & Intermediate
63.50 1967 Fairlane
65.25 1973-1986 Ford F-150 Pickup
65.25 1978-1986 Bronco
65.25 1973-1986 Ford Van 3/4 Ton
68.00 1972 Ford Van 3/4 Ton
69.25 1977-1986 Ford E-150 Van

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