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raycow · 06-23-2010, 06:01 AM

This rear is quite strong and will handle a decent amount of power. In fact, if you take it apart you will find that the ring gear is larger than on the 12 bolt which replaced it. When Chevy had a factory race team in the 50s they used the 1/2 ton rear in their race cars.

I have had my 60 C-10, with the same rear as yours, for about 10 years now. I tore it down when I got it, put in new seals, and it hasn't needed any other work since.

Its main drawback is that it was last used in 62, and most parts other than bearings, seals and gaskets are getting hard to find. The most common ratio is 3.90, with 3.38 and 4.10 as options. The 3.38 is quite scarce.

If you are building on a budget and can live with the ratio, go ahead and keep it for now. It may never break, but if it does, you will probably have to replace it with something newer because of the parts situation.

Ray

06-23-2010, 06:01 AM	#2
raycow Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA USA Posts: 2,454	Re: stock 58 apache rear end question This rear is quite strong and will handle a decent amount of power. In fact, if you take it apart you will find that the ring gear is larger than on the 12 bolt which replaced it. When Chevy had a factory race team in the 50s they used the 1/2 ton rear in their race cars. I have had my 60 C-10, with the same rear as yours, for about 10 years now. I tore it down when I got it, put in new seals, and it hasn't needed any other work since. Its main drawback is that it was last used in 62, and most parts other than bearings, seals and gaskets are getting hard to find. The most common ratio is 3.90, with 3.38 and 4.10 as options. The 3.38 is quite scarce. If you are building on a budget and can live with the ratio, go ahead and keep it for now. It may never break, but if it does, you will probably have to replace it with something newer because of the parts situation. Ray