A little general knowledge help

[mikess68]

So I have a 72 swinger. 318, 904, original, It has front disc brakes (build sheet says drum). It has bbp axels all around. Nothing looks like aftermarket so expect a donor car in its history Q. I was thinking original 72 was small bolt pattern right or wrong? Also I’m stuck in house right now so can’t get out to look, so did abody have big bolt pattern 7.25 rear? Or would that had been changed too? Or a 8.25 maybe? Thanks!

 

[Dana67Dart]

73 up front disk cars were BBP front and rear. IIRC

 

[mikess68]

So probably a 73+ rearend? Q is a 73+ rearend a 8.25? Or still used 7.25 with bbp?

 

[RAT ROD AL]

73s and up had 7 1/4s with big bolt pattern

 

[mikess68]

Ok thanks. That’s prob what i have .

 

[RAT ROD AL]

Not sure when the 8 1/4s showed up.

 

[str12-340]

73 and up 8 1/4 available - all 8 1/4 had big bolt pattern. Post a picture of your cover plate on the back of your rear end.

 

[Vaanth]

A 1972 Dart Swinger was originally equipped with the small bolt pattern (4") with either drum or disc brakes. Six cylinder 1973-1976 A-bodies (1976 models built prior to January 1, 1976) with drum brakes were still equipped with the small bolt pattern (4") and 7-1/4" rear axles. All disk brake equipped 1973-1976 A-bodies were equipped with the large bolt pattern (4.5") whether 7-1/4" rear axle or 8-1/4" rear axle. The 8-1/4" rear axle was introduced in the A-bodies for the 1973 model year.

 

[Vaanth]

So probably a 73+ rearend? Q is a 73+ rearend a 8.25? Or still used 7.25 with bbp?

8-1/4" rear axle. The cover has 10 bolts and may have a fill plug if a late 1976 axle.

7-1/4" rear axle. The cover has 9 bolts and may have a rubber fill plug if a late 1976 axle.

NOTE: In 1980 the 7-1/4 axle was revised with 10 bolt covers shaped differently, but these were only used in F-, J-, and M-bodies.