Tech Question
Paul Nemeth, Lake Worth, FL, 1963 Dodge Polara 383
The car currently has the 8-3/4″ tapered-shaft rear axlesetup. Can the axle shafts be replaced with the newer flanged versions ( ’65and up) or do I have to replace the whole assembly? The newer axle I assumewould also allow me to add disk brakes to the rear, as I do not see anyafter market up grades for the tapered axle. Appreciate your help.
Paul-
You’ll need a complete 65-70 axle setup (housing, axle shafts, andbearings). Any of these years will bolt right in and accept your currentcenter section, but ’68-up has slightly wider wheel track width, so watchtire clearance if you use those years.
A disc brake swap opens another large can of worms. Remember, if you staywith the desirable (for street use) stock design Timken tapered roller wheelbearings, adding a brake caliper adapter plate (always thicker then the drumbrake support plate) upsets the bearing end-play – bigtime! Options are thelow-capacity “Green” sealed ball bearings, or proportionally longer customaxles (Moser) or shortened stock C-body axles.
Rick
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