question on 1965 Barracuda rear end, stock

On a 1965 Barracuda rear differential (factory stock) what did they come with from the factory with, was it 8 3/4? The car has a 273 motor and auto trans

Most have 8 1/4. Some (if not all) 66 Formula S models came with 8 3/4 but I'm not certain about the availability on 65 models. I have a dealer option packet around here somewhere for the 65 models that may have the information in it and will post if I can find it.

I use to know this but haven't messed with the car in a while and have forgotten some of the spec. info.

the 8 1/4 was not around - it was mostly 7 1/4" rears and 8 3/4 was optional

agree- 7 1/4 rear was it- near end of model run 8 3/4 rear was optional- other than a couple factory track cars- I have never seen a '65 weith an 8 3/4 rear- Has anyone seen a factory installed 8 3/4 in a '65?

I read in an old issue of Hot Rod that the factory made 50 65 Barracuda's with 8.75 rears for Stock class racing.

I have never seen one nor have I seen any documentation to back that up.

The 7.25 is fine for street use. I drove and bracket raced my Barracuda with the small rear with nary a problem. Of course, I think the reason for its survival was the lack of tire grip allowed the spider gears to live.

Even into the 66 model year the 7-1/4 was the most common to find behind ALL a-body drivetrains. My old 66 Commando 273 four speed Barracuda had a 7-1/4. After breaking an axle (the PO had broken the other axle AND two sets of spider gears) I installed a 3.23SG 8-3/4 from a 67 Dart (273 four barrel/auto) and never looked back.

Amazing! I just started a restoration on a 65 Formula S car and was going to post the question "was an 8 3/4" option available for any of the late 65's. The car has an 8 3/4" 3.23 sure grip. No build sheet was with the car but the rear end has no indication that it has been changed. Springs are 6 leaf. All factory tags on the rear end are there. Does anyone know for sure if an 8 3/4" was available?

My 65 Cuda has a 7 1/4, not the original one either. SOmewhere before I got it the axle got replaced. I have an 8 3/4 sitting in the storeroom to put in it.

Sorry I just re-read what I typed. Guess I had 8 3/4 on the brain and meant to type 7 1/4 not 8 1/4. Thanks for correcting that for the OP guys.

My car came with a 7 1/4 but now has a 8 3/4 from a 66 Formula S I found in a JY many years ago after damaging a replacement 7 1/4 in a gas pedal stomping "SHOW OFF" incident.

Joe

Unless you stay with small tires, the 7 1/4 will give up the ghost- spider gears seemed to break and even kept snapped off lug bolts with L 60 Mickeys back in the day in my 340 4 speed 65 Valiant wagon... put a B body rear in it.... The wagons had a bigger wheel well if I remember- tires stuck out abour 2 inches on each side...

The earliest 8.75 in an A-Body that I have heard of would have been the D/Dart in 66. I have never seen or heard of the Valient line being toured with HD equipment.

Quote:

---

The earliest 8.75 in an A-Body that I have heard of would have been the D/Dart in 66. I have never seen or heard of the Valient line being toured with HD equipment.

---

65 and 66 Valiants were available with top-of-the-line A body performance options of the day, including Commando 273 V-8 and 4-speed transmission.

You could still get the Commando 273 and 4-spd tranny in a 67 Valiant, but the 383 4-barrel was optional only in the Barracuda (in the Plymouth A-body line).

Top engine option for 68 Valiants was the 318 2-barrel. 4-speed tranny was still available. A friend of mine inherited a 68 318 4-speed Valiant; it has an 8 3/4 rear and a ralley dash.