$450 for a 10 bolt $#%&#@* Update...Running a 14bsf now

[beater_k20]

Like the old disc braked 12 bolts out of F-bodies.

when did such a bird exist? i've been researching Firebirds off and on over the last 4 years, and have never heard of such an animal. 2 of my buddies are working on early 2nd gen Firebird restorations, and ask me for help quite frequently.

 

[tarussell]

when did such a bird exist? i've been researching Firebirds off and on over the last 4 years, and have never heard of such an animal. 2 of my buddies are working on early 2nd gen Firebird restorations, and ask me for help quite frequently.

As far as 12 bolts go the only year that I know of was 1969 with the multiple piston calipers but the 10 bolt was an option in the late seventy's with disc on some Z/28's and Trans-Am's although fairly rare.
Tom

 

[mikey_d05]

Well, I've been taking my time and trying to be patient. Some new developments today. Hopefully the truck will be moving again by the end of tomorrow.

Short Story: Found a 14 bolt semi-floater at a yard. It was cataloged as a 10 bolt because someone is a moron. I told the counter guy this and he said that it was their own fault and will sell it to me for $400. They're pulling it right now and I go pick it up this afternoon.

Long Story: A yard not too far from here got a new counter guy a couple months ago. Real prick, won't deal on anything. He's the one that shot me the $450 price. I couldn't make it yesterday because I was trying to find other ways outta this. I went this morning and a mechanic I know was working the counter. He suggested if I was blowing 10 bolts I go to a 14bsf. I chuckled and said that if I could find one with 3.73's for a reasonable price that I would do it. He said he'd shipped three out last week and was sure they had more. He told me the exact location of a truck he thought had one and sure enough, it did. Extended cab long box, 6 lug. I came back to the office and asked how much he wanted. He looked up the truck and said it was specified as a 10 bolt. I know it's a 14 bolt for obvious reasons. He said that was their own mistake and they'd sell it to me for the price of a 10 bolt. He also said that since they didn't have to ship it out I could take it home for $400. Unfortunately I was dumb enough not to bring tools, so I have to have them part it out. Hopefully I'll get some of the stupid little stuff like spring plates, the whole e-brake cable setup, and things of that nature. All I need now is a conversion u-joint and some gear oil.

 

[bigjbear]

Good deal! Get the spring plates. Cut the e-brake cable ahead of crimp, so all you will need to do get a ferrel from GM and readjust the cable. If they move stuff there like they do here the driveshaft is bent, so cut it just ahead of the u-joint instead of unbolting it. That way you can take both joints to the store and make sure you get the right conversion one. Mine needed an S44 to 1350.

 

[divorced]

I think $400 is a good deal. If you have a 4x4, the new axle from a 4x4 also, right?

 

[mikey_d05]

The new axle is from an early 90's light duty 3/4 ton (I think anyways). It was a long bed extended cab 4x4. The u-bolts are the dumb upside down setup so I'm just gonna leave it since this truck is a mall queen. The e-brake cables don't even come close to what's on my '93, so I'm just gonna have to figure something out later. The shoes are shot so I'll need new ones, other than that, gear oil, conversion joint, u-bolts, and a cover gasket is all I think I bought. It's sitting on all fours right now.

I'll get the u-bolts and conversion joint tomorrow and get 'er up and running. I'm still kinda dumbfounded that they sold me that axle for $400. When I went back to pick it up, the normal counter guy was there and boy was he pissed... Anyways, I'll probably take some pics tomorrow when I get everything finished up even though I'm sure all of you have seen a rusty old 14bsf before. If you don't count the time I spent on the axle itself, I think I only have like four hours into this swap...not too bad for it only being my third one.

 

[divorced]

Do you think you lost any ground clearance with the SF axle? Just wondering for a future project.

 

[mikey_d05]

Do you think you lost any ground clearance with the SF axle? Just wondering for a future project.

Yes, but this truck is now a street queen. The 10 bolt blew up from me pounding on it on pavement with 33's.

If you're looking to put it in a real off road truck, I'd say that the clearance lost is not a big issue. From the looks of it, the bottom of the housing on the 14 bolt is a lot closer to the ring gear than on the 10 bolt, but is roughly the same thickness. If it were the same distance and the same thickness, you'd lose ~ .5" of ground clearance. But I'm not sure I even lost that much. I'd have to measure to see what I honestly lost, but I can guarantee that it's not at all significant.

 

[outalne94z71]

the cables from the 10 bolt will drop right in on that 14 bolt sf, in fact i reused the 10 bolt ones on my 94 when i put in a 12 bolt

ive done the swap a couple of times, i got another 14b sf 6 lugger sitting in the garage($100 junkyard axle) waiting on parts to put in the place of my worn out 12 bolt i have under my 94 ex cab, the brake parts are the same(12 bolt& 6 lug 14 bolt) except for the drum itself

the 14 bolt sf is barely stronger than a 12 bolt, and they are known for eating the head side pinion bearing