Large Bolt Pattern Swap Safety Check 69 Barracuda 383

[OldSoul_02]

Hey guys, I have been working on getting my 69 Barracuda road worthy for the past couple of years and am looking over everything with a fine tooth comb since the previous owner proved to be an “Ace Mechanic” (Radiator fan installed backwards, valve covers swapped, disc brakes without the spacer, etc etc). This is my first project car, so I am finding things out as I go. I just realized that this car has been converted to the large bolt pattern after buying the small pattern axles . Basically, I would like advice on how I can check the conversion was done right for safety by Ace Mechanic.
Here’s what I know so far:
- Rear end is a B-Body 8 3/4
- Bolt pattern has been changed on the front and back wheels
- Front disc brakes, rear drum
- I have the stock tapered bearings, they seem to be in good condition
- I have chatter when sliding the clutch, I suspect that is is being caused by the clutch, but lowering the air shocks had a pretty dramatic difference in making it less, so maybe rear end related.

 

[66Valiant528]

A B body rear would be 5x4.5 stock. What do you need to check back there? Have you checked rear axle bearing adjuster clearance? Does it still have an adjuster? If not it should have green style bearings now. I know you said you have A7 tapered bearings. Is that what's on the axles now? Factory it aftermarket axles? Housing cut?

 

[Murray]

If your rear end was from a "B" body, would assume that you got BBP pattern rears from that. Do you have larger rear brakes from a "B" body? What size are the rear brakes?

 

[OldSoul_02]

A B body rear would be 5x4.5 stock. What do you need to check back there? Have you checked rear axle bearing adjuster clearance? Does it still have an adjuster? If not it should have green style bearings now. I know you said you have A7 tapered bearings. Is that what's on the axles now? Factory it aftermarket axles? Housing cut?

Axles still have the adjuster…. But there is no lock that goes in the retainer nut to hold the adjuster in place. Guess I will need to go through the adjustment procedure and get the lock. Axles appear to be factory with the original bearings. Friend let me borrow his axle from a 70 b body 8 3/4 rear end and it is identical to my axle. I am not sure what you mean by housing cut

 

[66Valiant528]

Has the housing been cut down to A body size?

 

[OldSoul_02]

If your rear end was from a "B" body, would assume that you got BBP pattern rears from that. Do you have larger rear brakes from a "B" body? What size are the rear brakes?

Looks like 10” inner diameter, I think that would indicate B body?

 

[OldSoul_02]

Has the housing been cut down to A body size?

Just measured it, flange to flange is roughly 55”, so lines up with what a 70 b body should be. I guess I am trying to figure out if there is anything seriously wrong with the work done by the previous owner.