rearend choices ,stock class?

[Greg Reimer 7376]

A friend of mine, about 40 years ago, had a '64 Impala SS hardtop, 340 horse 409, factory 4 speed. He knew the meaning of the term "driveline failure", he could have written the book. One day, he was getting on the eastbound San Bernardino Freeway, ran through the gears, and power shifted fourth for all he was worth. The noise of what happened about scared him through the window. The center carrier casting broke off and the pinion gear, the drive line and everything left out the back of the car and bounced around the freeway for a while. He got stopped, at the end of the trail of 90 wt,and a glance under the car revealed a giant jagged hole where the pinion bearing support and gear was. You just can't abuse a 4000 pound car with a 4 speed with that rear end and not expect disaster.