Internet says the 8.2 was available in full size 64's    you better wrap a chain around it... The LS 6.0L   will spit it out real quick   

I'm not sure    i have never had a car older than 66    

I have some friends with LS conversion and most are running at least a 8.5    and with sticky tires are breaking them  

For a cruiser with no wild tire burn outs, you might make a 8.2 live

 

I have a 84 S10 with a 355 V8 and am running a 7.5    drive it very easy   

Am I better off to try and find a used hub to hub diff with possibly 3.73 gears and convert it to fit under the car? Has anyone done something like this and if so, what did you use?

hawkeye5766 is correct the 64 diff is a one year only and a real pain to try and find axles in the Acadian /Nova series.We are checking to see if we can convert the axles and bearings from the 8.5 diff into the 64 diff to have a larger selection of axles if needed. Your original 64 diff is a totally different style than the 64 Acadian and was used from 1955 to 1964 and is strong enough with an aftermarket posi unit. Do not forget 327 300 hp and 409 cars all use this type of diff until 1965. The cheapest way to go is an 8.5 out of a 71- 81 Camaro. They are still plentiful and still really cheap to buy. $200 for a complete non posi unit around here. If you are going to beat up the car find a 9 inch ford and get it converted.

 

Al

 

55-64 full size 8.2's were their own bolt ins (Corvettes to 62 used the same axle/rear end), nothing else bolts in from say the Nova or 65 or later of anything, they are different.

If you plan on abusing them, start with posi, good to about 3-400HP, they will work fine. Above that, for say drag racing, most choose a ford 9 inch for parts availability and cost. You can buy complete bolt ins with brackets. You can get an Eaton or Nitro posi and install it in a non posi case. Lots of information available on this conversion and the ford 9 inch.