9" rear housings for DeVilles

[MTS Marty]

MTS is going to have some rear housings w/axles made to be bolt in for 68 - 76 DeVilles mainly for availability of posi and gears. Question is will one housing fit those years or will there need to be a couple different ones. Not so bad if it is just the width that would be different but really don't want different mounting bracket for different years.
First housings will be for stock Cadillac rear drum brakes. Later on some disc options may be available. Just want to get the first ones made at the least possible cost to the end user and using the stock brakes would sure help that.

All info would be helpful

Thanks 

[STDog]

There was a big change in 1970 to the rear end, but the parts list implies that the '70 will fit the older cars.
http://www.modifiedcadillac.org/documents/Shop_Manuals_and_Illus_Catalogs/Chassis%20&%20Body%20Parts%20Catalog%20thru%201975/Group%205/tn/Group%205%20-%2010.jpg.html

Group number 5.387.
Looks like 65-67 is one part number.
68-69 another.
70 a single number
Then on the next page, '71-75 has another number.

See Note 1, about '66-69 cars having a '70 assembly.

I think it stayed the same through '76. Then in '77 they went to a GM corporate rear end.

So, I'd look for some pictures/measurements on the 3 (or 4) different parts.
If I get time this week to measure the '70, I will. No promises (and I won't have another chance til May)

[Cadillac Kid-CLC #15364]

Marty,
I thought we were friends.  Why didn't you do this last year before I put in a Moser 9". Ha  .  In my search (before I gave up and bit the bullet) I believe I found enough difference between a 70 and mine (73) that eliminated a 70 posi I had found.
I believe there is something to do with a difference in the frame configuration/(Control arm mountings) and resulting pinion angles./
Shouldn't be anything insurmountable.
Greg

[blue68deville]

Oh hell yes. I've been thinking about the 9" swap for a while. Wish you were closer, I'd let you borrow mine for measurements.
I'm guessing 31 spline with the big-bearing Torino style tube ends?
We could just re-drill the Caddy backing plates to match that.
Man, 9" disc kits are pretty damn cheap too.
Marty you guys rock. Best customer service I've ever dealt with, and not scared to develop new stuff.

[Carnut]

I went through a search for a rear end for my 1984 C DeVille. According to Hollanders Interchange Manual they were changed about every two years. What I found out is the only real difference (in my case) is the input for the pinion. That is, the driveshaft might not work. I now have an '81 rear in my car, but I have a 1991 Cadillac 8½ inch 10 bolt which I hear is a very strong rear end.

I would suggest searching only for the housing part number, not the entire rear assembly.

[STDog]

I would suggest searching only for the housing part number, not the entire rear assembly.

That's what I linked/discussed earlier. Just the housings.

[Cadillac Kid-CLC #15364]

Thomas,
The housing numbers will be different because the control arms, their locations and lengthes were different to accomodate the changes made to the frame over the years.
Greg

[STDog]

Carnut chimed in on using the housing part numbers, and that was what I linked earlier, just the housings.

Those numbers don't include all the other bits that might have changed. They don't include axles or differentials either.
Just the housing and tubes.

From the parts list there were 4 housing used from '65-75 (and I'm betting '76)
And that was what Marty asked about, specifically different mounting brackets.

And there's a note about the '70 housing being used in the '66-'69 cars.

So, it would seem that Cadillac approved of using the '70 housing in the earlier cars, but it's not clear if that requires bracket changes or it it would bolt up.

Based on your experience, the '70 housing won't just bolt up to a '71-'75.
So that would be 2 versions.

The question of the other 3 and the implied interchange is still open.
(I believe the 75 and CC differences on the '70 are related to the length of the tubes/axles, but Marty asked about deVilles/Calais)


Marty,
Any suggested pictures/measurements to to make on the '70 for comparison with the earlier cars?

Maybe EZ or Mose could measure there housings.
Not sure who mile to measure a '68 or '69.

[MTS Marty]

The main concern would be bracket placement on the housings. If there are only 2 different placements that would be very good. We could make an adj upper control arm for pinion angle adj. If the housings are only an inch or so different (axle flange to axle flange) that would not be an issue. The project just couldn't work if we had to have 4 or 5 different housings as cost to make as well as inventory would not be acceptable.
I guess we will just have to try and find some housings from the 65 - 70 and 71 up to ck.
I really believe the 71 up are the same - it's the early ones that could cause the issues.

Thanks for all the info so far

[EZ]

Would it be feasable to offer the complete rear end housing, posi, axles, disc brakes and then let the customer weld his own brackets on to fit his application?  We had a guy on our '65-'66 Cadillac community forum offering some beautiful adjustable 4 link suspension bars for about $300.00.  They were stock replacement length but he could make them to fit any year I'm sure.  They are almost the same price as it would be to buy new bushings for the stock suspension. If you only offer your rear ends for '68 and up maybe I could weld on my own brackets and have him make me a set of adjustable bars.  Id love to have a posi rear and disc brakes for my '66 but not sure I'd go through the expense and hassle to change the whole rear end just to gain a posi unit.

Keep us informed on the project.  Sounds interesting.  I have the rear end out of my '66 right now so if you need measurements or pics let me know.  Too bad you aren't closer to Chattanooga I'd let you borrow my '66 rear end for a while if you needed it.

[STDog]

EZ, can you take a few measurements from your housing?

I'm not sure what I can get to, as mine is installed, but maybe we can get enough to get an idea as to the differences.

[EZ]

Sure thing STDog.  Where do you want me to measure?  We might as well all measure from the same spots.

[MTS Marty]

Well

After a bit more research it looks we will have to purchase some stock housings to be absolutly sure where the brackets are on the housings as well as width. Looks like we will need a:
65-67  68-70 71 73 74 75 76

It's possible many of the housings are the same but can't chance it. Of course if they are all different the progect is dead

[EZ]

Marty,
Would it help for me to take pics or do any measuring on my '66 rear end housing?  It's out of the car and EZ to get to.

[STDog]

Sure thing STDog.  Where do you want me to measure?  We might as well all measure from the same spots.

I didn't get a chance to do any measuring. I won't be back to the car for 4 months.