I recently purchase a 63 nova wagon and in thre process of installing a v-8 turbo 350 conversion. i just raised the car up and checked the rear end. Seems to be bad. I was considering replacing it with another like year rear end, but the 8.2 gears are so expensive. So i started thinking (probably a bad move on my part) about a 8.5 s-10 rear end. So I'm just inquiring if anybody has done this type of swap and what mistakes to look out for?

I haven't done a swap like that on a 63, but I did put an 8.5 inch 81 Z-28 rear end under my 71 Nova to replace it's 8.2 incher. The 81 Z rear was almost a perfect match (only an inch wider). All that was involved was cutting off the old spring perches and welding on new ones in the proper location. Just have to make sure the pinion angle is correct.

I'm not sure lengthwise how close an S-10 rear is to that body style Nova but it may be pretty close. The good thing would be that S-10 rear ends and related parts should be VERY plentiful. If you do decide to try it, try to get a newer style one. The older S-10 only had a 7.5 inch rear end. I think when they changed to the current body style or shortly after they started using the bigger 8.5 rear. I think maybe around 96 or so, I'm not 100% sure, but I would definately try to get the 8.5 version. :thumbsup:

Have you found your rear end yet? I just converted my 63 nova rear end which was the 6 cyclnder rear end to a 10 bolt unit. I have my old rear end if you are interested and I know where you can get a 10 bolt for a 62 - 67 nova for about $150 or a 10 bolt with disc brakes for about $450. Let me know if you are interested. :licka: