I have a 1970 tempest Lemans I purchased at a junk yard 2 years ago. After tearing it down and rebuilding the engine I noticed that it ran like a tank. For what I understand it was used as a drag car. So I want too put in some 3:77 gears But I can't figure out if it's a 8.2 or 8.5 How do you tell? Since it was built in canada alot of folks say it could be a chevy rear. But I don't know is there a way too tell without tearing it apart? thanks

It's most likely a 8.2 . Look for the for 1/2 circle scallops indented where the cover meets the axle tubes. 8.5 also has the square ears ar the lower corners of the diff at the bottom of the diff just in front of the cover. Search 8.5 identification on the web, lots of pictures

What gear ratio is in it now, what did you do to the engine , what head number are you using , or does it have a sbc? Tranny? Tire size? The drivetrain has to work as a combination.

Here is mine  see the tabs?   

Car was a 6cyl and probably had 8.2 , but was upgraded with 8.5 and multi-leaf and sway bar..

rabbit64cs wrote:

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does it have a sbc?

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Just an FYI, 1970 was the first year of production for Tempest in Oshawa. Up until then Pontiac's mid size was the Beaumont. GM Canada chose to equip Tempests with Pontiac 350 and 400 V8 engines in their year of introduction, 250 six was standard. In 71 and beyond you will find small blocks in the Tempest/Lemans line but not 1970.

 

-- Edited by 73SC on Thursday 28th of January 2010 05:40:14 PM

Also if you have the rear cover off, if you can put a 11/16 wrench on the head of the ring gear bolts its 8.5 if 9/16 wrench  8.2. Also 8.5 ring gear bolts are left hand thread and 8.2 are right hand.

That's why I never seen a 1970 Lemans with the Chebbie 350, I learned something today... Funny how the 1970 Parisiennes had Chebbie 350's 454's and in 1971-76 you could get a Pontiac 400-455 in a Parisienne ???

REALLY ??? I've never seen one , I know in 70 , they badged the Impala / Parisenne? with a 400 badge when it had a BBC 402. {{ Funny how the 1970 Parisiennes had Chebbie 350's 454's and in 1971-76 you could get a Pontiac 400-455 in a Parisienne ???}}

I know where there is a 1971 Parisienne with the Pontiac 400 (same YS block / 96 heads, 4 barrel engine as the GTO ! ) around here, I would like to get it but the guy don't want to sell it. Also I had a 1973 Parisienne Brougham 455 parts car 8 years ago.

You fellas are really taxing my brain archive now. Let me see what I can address without looking it up.

No BBC 402 ever in a Canadian Pontiac.

1970 Canadian B Body. 250-6. 350 & 400 SBC and 454 BBC.

1971 was first year for Pontiac engines in a Canadian B body, 400 & 455.

Export build LeMans 71- 76 would get a Pontiac 350

Canadian built Pontiac B Body wagons 71-76 would get the SBC 400

Some Canadian built Pontiac B Body cars 71-76 got SBC 350 & 400 while some got Pontiac 400 & 455, all depending on model and equipment ordered. 
 

Wow , out west here, all we see in these cars are 350's. Thanks for the lesson

Don't get me wrong the SBC 350 is by far the most common in the East as well BUT when you see one of these old B Bodies, especially a 4bbl in wagon or nicely optioned car and it has a nice looking orange small block it never hurts to check the emissions decal to see exactly what's in there.

Here is a 400 SBC in a 1970 B Body I have in the warehouse. Engine call out decals were not used afrer 1970, but you can see that a 350 and 400 are visually identical.




Below is a 454 in a 1970 Canadian Pontiac B Body, a 2+2.




-- Edited by 73SC on Friday 29th of January 2010 10:21:19 AM

maybe it was the 400 call out that I was thinking of ,,,,didn't know till you opened the hood if you had a BBC or a SBC.... or that may be 70- 72 1/2 tons I'm thinking?? no room left in the brain??

Pickups got 402's BBC for sure, emisson decal will say 402 on it as well. Saw one at Penetang/Midland cruise two summers ago.

emission decal will make the distinction , but I believe the fender trim emblem ...whatever you want to call it only would say 400... but I believe what sticks in my brain was a 71?? gmc /chevy with a 400 emblem on the fender. I didn't know if it would be a small or big till I opened the hood. seems to be Cheviac has an odd 71 in his collection?

Well again GMC's got either 402 BBC or 400 SBC depending....

I have info on 71 MONTE 400 (402) 4 speed    I will post it

Better start a new thread 427 carl...I think we hijacked this one!!

Hey Roger, that 1973 Pontiac Parisienne Brougham 455 4 door hardtop loaded parts car, I bought it in Vancouver when I was on the Vancouver Island ( west enough for you LOL ! ),  I drove it for about 200 miles and got 15 miles per gallon, not bad for an old dog tired engine out of tune