a stoopid question, [i'm sure] but those that have back-braced an 8 3/4 and moved the springs while running the brace to the very ends of the tubes, have you inserted tubes into the brace for the U bolts to pass through ?
if so, how did that work out ?
I didn't feel running the brace to the ends was really necessary. However the shock interference issue is real, and you can see in the link the slight "kink I put in my brace to miss the angled shocks. The rear end housing outside the springs is being thrust forward, the housing inside the springs is being bent backwards, and all torsion/twist is only acted on the housing between the springs, We are excluding any braking forces as, they are much less and "softer" IMO. I don't feel a typical back brace is very efficient at resisting torsional loads.
https://board.moparts.org/ubbthread...ay-protour-practice-car.html#Post1553866 i completely forgot about the shocks ! [CRS and "oldtimers" i guess.
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i also have a sacrificial center section cut like yours, although it is a 489 case.
i have checked several rears before shortening, and have found some to be off almost 1/4" from straight. these were rears i know for sure weren't beat on. i did a pontiac rear one time that was off a tad more than 3/8" ! this was going in my buddy's 55 chevy, and needed to be cut 1 7/8" per side. we cut it at the spring mounting pad, then boxed it in around the tubes. a little heat and the bottle jack straightened it right out so the pucks would glide into the bearing bores with just a flick of the finger.
the reason for the 1 7/8" per side cut allowed stock oldsmobile axles from the "short" side to be used. i forget the application, however.
