1965 barracuda rear rear end?

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6t5barracuda

6t5barracuda

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So my 1965 barracuda is all original except motor, 273 bored.30 with a cam and an edelbrock 650 carb. Transmission was built too. So on my first drive, went and got gas then drove around the corner to lay a mean one wheel peel. My buddy followed me in his valiant and said both wheels were smoking. Later that night went over there And sure enough, I had two skid marks going 11 feet(and was going in a straight line):burnout:. I thought this original 7/25 rear end was a peg leg. How did this work? Thanks, -Derek
 
An open rear diff can still drive both wheels but it has to be the "just right" situation. If the traction and power are balanced, it will spin both tires. My '72 Demon slanty used to do that too.
 
My fwd mazda 2 does this when I peel them (clutch dump). I guarantee it's not limited slip.
 
Yep, Sure-Grip was an option regardless of engine. So until late in the 65 model year ALL a-bodies had the 7 1/4" rear, so if a Sure-Grip was ordered it would have been a 7 1/4". I don't know if they still did that after 66 or just installed an 8 3/4" if the Sure-Grip was optioned. At any rate, the Sure-Grip 7 1/4" is only marginally stronger than the open differential, and parts are rare as rocking horse sh*t.
 
Do another few burnouts...if the spiders get stripped, then you've got a peg-leg.

;-)
 
X2 on possable sure grip. my 65 dart gt had a 7 1/4 clutch style sure grip in it! It worked great so i sold it before i did any damage to it & made it just as worthless as an open 7 1/4.
 
I'm pretty sure my 7-1/4 was sure grip, it's worn out now though. When I first got it, it would do 11's. Now it's just a one wheel peel. I have an 8.8 to replace it over the winter.
 
Just keep in mind down the road you will definitely want to upgrade to a better rear end. My 65 formula S has been improved to a 8.25 rear and does very well with it. I had a 66 that I drag raced done with a 8.75 rear that was built to rock and roll as that car ran low 12's. Its all about money and how you want to go. Personally right now very happy with what I got and its perfect for a road car with 14 inch rally wheels and rides and runs very nice! Fit right in and no fighting to make it work.

65 Cudalover
 
Jack up the rear end and spin one tire. If the other side spins the same direction it's a sure grip. If it turns the opposite direction it's an open rear end. I agree with 65cudalover, the 7.25 is not the strongest rear end for aggressive launching. If you do much more of that you will need to consider an upgrade. I have a narrowed 8.75 in my '65 Barracuda. BTW, when narrowing the rear end we calculated the dimensions to center the wheel in the wheel well. I can fit a 12" tire in there now with no tubbing.
 
Sounds like the famous scene in the movie My Cousin Vinny where the savy Jersey girl explains to the NC court how their cousin's car (Pontiac?) couldn't have left the spin-out marks the criminals did.
 
Hipo65 said:
X2 on possable sure grip. my 65 dart gt had a 7 1/4 clutch style sure grip in it! It worked great so i sold it before i did any damage to it & made it just as worthless as an open 7 1/4.
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It still works fine behind a moderately built 360. Guzzles both tires at will. It did need axle bearings though.
 
The 7 1/4 axles could be had with sure grip much later. I have a 4.5 bolt pattern 7 1/4 with sure grip. I busted 7 1/4's but others went for years without trouble behind HP small blocks 273 Commandos to 340s. I wouldn't worry about it so much that it is a "must do" if other things need help too.
 
had a 7.25 sure-grip in my 66. beat the holy hell out of that little beastie for a few years. never gave me any fits. recently swapped to an 8.25 for lug pattern and brake upgrade.
 
I have an open 7 1/4 behind my fairly stout 360, and on occasion it will spin both of the tires, but its usually a peg legger. Im pretty surprised its still going, i've given it some pretty good beatings!
 
m51 said:
The 7 1/4 axles could be had with sure grip much later. I have a 4.5 bolt pattern 7 1/4 with sure grip. I busted 7 1/4's but others went for years without trouble behind HP small blocks 273 Commandos to 340s. I wouldn't worry about it so much that it is a "must do" if other things need help too.
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If u think about it, a sure grip 7 1/4 is stronger than a 7 1/4 peg leg, you are running aganst all the spiders instead of a pair.

I took the rule of thumb with my 7 1/4 open, drive it and have fun with it, and if it breaks, upgrade it. When I broke it, it took about 9 months to find the setup for the price I wanted. 8 3/4 with 355s in it now.
 
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