10 Bolt question?

any body here race with a 10 bolt? what can be done to strengthen a 10 bolt? what gears do i have in my 250 cid 3 speed 72 nova?

If by saying, "a 10 bolt", you mean a 7.5 inch ring gear, then,....behind an automatic, they will handle 12's but behind a standard you better be careful if you dip into the 12's. I've even seen 11's with that rear end.

If you mean a 8.5 inch, 10's is about the end of the line for them.

how do i know what's in my nova?

umm, yeah, good question, then but how do I know what's in your Nova? heheheh.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Actually the diff cover can help you discover which rear end you have. Someone is bound to post a site where you can match your cover to a picture and then figure out which rear end you have.

Short of that, remove the diff cover and measure the distance across the ring gear.

Still too difficult? Build a motor with 550 hp, install a 4000 stall converter, mount some serious rubber on the rear, and try 'er out. If she holds, you have a 8.5 inch. If not, then you start looking for one.!!:)

what about an 8.2" rear? will a 8.2" or 8.5" hold up to a big block and manual tranny?

Better get ya a nine inch Ford.....

I have run a 10 bolt in my 66 Nova for 10+ years behind a 406 small block and a powerglide with a 5000 stall converter and trashed many posi units. The only thing to help any of the 10 bolts is to put a mini spool and aftermarket axels. The aftermarket axels are heavier and thicker but the spline area of the axel is still the same size the factory axel which is the location that the axel will fail.

My recomendation is that you put a 12 bolt chevy rearend in or a 9 Ford like HWORREL suggested because a 10 bolt will not survive the weekend warrior abuse with a manual tranny. Big block or small block doesn't matter since the manual tranny is actually the one abusing the rearend and naturally the more power you have the more parts you will break.

12 bolt or 9 inch will save you many headaches down the road.