A body axel with multiple holes

[Joe68dart]

Hello I was wondering any has seen this. I was looking at my axels because I want the big bolt pattern on the back. I popped my drums off and it appeared to have both hole patterns drilled

 

[pettybludart]

This is/was the cost effichant way of getting the 4.5 bbp.OK for a tame street car.JMO Edit:You will need to drill or replace your drums.

 

[340doc]

Someone had them drilled. Lucky!

 

[Daves69]

Why would one go through the trouble of re-drilling and not utilize them? I would question if the 4.5" bolt circle is off. The bolt circle or index being off a bit could make it real tough to get the lug nut shanks through wheels.
Then too, maybe the re-drill was meant for future mods.
This axle was plugged prior to re-drill. The studs are 1/2" X 20R X 2" grade 8 screw in.

 

[mikedevore]

I was fortunate to have a machinist for a neighbor in my younger days.
I took my A-body axles to him.
He made plugs for the access holes & welded them in.
You could still access the axle retaining nuts behind the flange.
Then machined the flange surface back flat & drilled a 4.5 bolt circle in the flange.
Installed 3-inch screw in 1/2in wheel studs.

Ran my car in the high elevens with this combo for years. No problems.