General 12 bolt question.....

[BuddyP]

Here's the scoop, my dad has this '72 Cadillac Fleetwood that's been setting out back rusting away for the past 20 years, we started pulling it out and was going to take it in for scrap. Just so happens it has a 12 bolt rear end (I'm sure it's only 3.08 and single wheel peel). But it's been setting in the mud for the past couple decades so the housing itself is probably the only thing that's good. Any chance the axle's might still be good?

Anyway, my main question is weather or not this would work/fit a 1st gen camaro? If it needs narrowed, or relocated leaf mounts, ect. it probably wouldn't be worth it to me to even mess with.

Any info greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[Goatman]

I would say the axles should be fine. As long as there was fluid in there.

It'll need all of the above as far as mods go for a F-body.


You may want to see if you can find a full size car guy to buy the rear. The large car 12 bolts are pretty hard to come by..

[BuddyP]

I would say the axles should be fine. As long as there was fluid in there.

It'll need all of the above as far as mods go for a F-body.


You may want to see if you can find a full size car guy to buy the rear. The large car 12 bolts are pretty hard to come by..

There "was" fluid in there, but has been setting for a long time. I'll have to tear it open and see what they look like.

Yeah if it would need a lot of converting to fit 1st gen Camaro then I'll probably just sell it and put the $$ toward one that'll work for mine.

Any idea what they are worth in this condition? You any chance know what cars it will fit?

[69keith]

BuddyP,
I got a 12 bolt out of a 69 Impala, cut the brackets of of it, bought new ends from moser, moser axles and i am in the process of cutting it down to fit my 69 Camaro. I think I will save alot of money...
By the way, Your subframe looks real similar.
Keith

[big gear head]

The '72 Cadillac won't have a Chevy 12 bolt. It might be a 12 bolt of some kind, but not the Chevy. These cars had a larger rear end with a strange looking cover. Better check it out very well before you try to do anything with it.

[BuddyP]

I don't care if it's a Chevy or Cadillac. A 12 bolt is a 12 bolt. But since I know now that i'd have to narrow it and that the Cadillac is a coil over rear vs a leaf spring, it would be more work to me that what it's worth to make it work for my car. I'll just sell it for what it's worth.

[Goatman]

Actually, as 12 bolt is not a 12 bolt...... The Olds 12 bolts that you see everyday on e-bay are actually 10 bolts around the ring gear. You need to verify that first. If its got 10 bolts around the ring gear, its a 10 bolt.... And its junk.

[big gear head]

Some of the large GM cars had a rear end that has 12 bolts in the cover and ring gear, but it is nothing like the Chevy 12 bolt. None of the Chevy 12 bolt parts will work in it and there are no gears or other parts available for it.

[BuddyP]

I'll have to check out the ring gear.

What's the key difference between the "Chevy" 12 bolt and other 12 bolts? All I can tell you now is that it has the yoke side has the typical offset that the 12 bolts have (down and to the side). It was a '72 Cadillac with a 472 (heard the Chevy 12 bolt was built between '65 and '72?). Coil over rear, no leafs.

[big gear head]

The Chevy 12 bolt has c clip axles and the cover has a large upside down V stamped into it like an eyebrow that runs side to side.