91 pontiac firebird formula rear end question

[chris67rs]

I have a 91 Formula, 305 (vinE TBI)

it has a open rear with Drum brakes, however it has a bad carrier bearing, and possibly a rear pinion bearing. instead of spending a grand on a new carrier and a rebuild, I was considering going to the local junkyards in search of one, What year's camaro and firebirds can I choose from, I tried a 86 Firebird, but it was totally different. I would love to find one with a posi and disk brakes in the rear, but am unsure on what years are compatible with mine,

it seems that every time I look for a part for my year its very specific.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Chris

macphreak4evr@gmail.com

[cheyenne383]

Actually, a rear from any 1982-1992 f-body will work, try and find one with the same type of brakes as yours to ease the swap. 1989 and later 10 bolt rerends have better axles, so try and find one of those, but with a stock 305, you won't be killing much. Z28 and Trans Ams are your best bet for posis, but a lot of them are worn out, so if you realy want a good differential, go aftermarket. I don't know what was so different from an 86 Firebird apart from your car. :conf:

[chris67rs]

thanks for the speedy reply,

as far as the 86, it did not have the coil springs things in the same location, they were in the front rather than the on the back of the tubes

[scubas_90rs]

i took a rear out of an 88 camaro and put it in my 90 rs. i had no problems putting it in. the rear out of 83 is the same as my 90. somone must have done some mods to you car.

[cheyenne383]

Originally posted by chris67rs
thanks for the speedy reply,

as far as the 86, it did not have the coil springs things in the same location, they were in the front rather than the on the back of the tubes

That's really odd, all the f-bodies I've seen 3rd and 4th gens have the coil mounts on the front of the axle. You might want to double check your car, that seems really weird.

[chris67rs]

really? wow, check this pic out then, I just took it, it clearly shows the spring perch in the back side of the tubes. maybe i have some weird rear. however its been in the car since I purchased it in 93

http://www.67rs.com/rear.jpg

[cheyenne383]

Nevermind, I double checked. They should be behind the axle. I don't know why the other one you looked at would be different, all 3rdgens are the same. I looked at my stock 3rdgen and the coils are behind the axles.

[chris67rs]

great, maybe the 86 was goofy

[chris67rs]

thanks for the help, I found one from a 86, has disc brakes, rotors and all, 1 busted brake line, (metal) but not hard to reflare, it looks as if it was replaced earlier in life, its a open rear, but thats good. fluid was a little dirty but clean of particals.

thanks for the help!

Ill post some pics of the job later on,

See ya