12 bolt rear end

[ct51chevy]

we found a 12 bolt rear end laying in the woods. could not find any markings on the house, only found numbers on the gear box; 507/395 and
350/395. trying to figure out if it is worth pulling out of the woods and refurbishing it.

[MagicRat]

If no one comes up with any info on the numbers, I suggest you measure the width between the backing plates. If its very wide its probably from a pick up truck and hold little value. You might also remove the cover and count the gear teeth to get an idea of the ratio. An unusually short ratio probably has a bit of value.

I am not sure what you mean by "refurbishing". Can you use it or do you intend to re-sell it? Even if its worthwhile, imo just sell it as-is.

[ct51chevy]

thanks for the info. depending on what it is, we might put it on our 51 chevy. we already have a 400 turbo tranny and have been looking for a 12 bolt rear end and what could be better than a free one.

[curtis73]

Get out some sandpaper

On the axle tubes somewhere is a stamping code. If the tubes are too rusty to find that code, chances are its not worth refurbing anyway. Pull the cover and see what's in it for ratios, and posi or not.

60's truck axles will have mounts that sorta look like they're for leaf springs but they also have perches for coils. Later truck axles will just have the leaf spring mounts. Most cars will have coil perches and mounts for trailing arms.

[curtis73]

Keep in mind there are also some oddball axles that are 10-bolts with 12 bolts on the cover, and there are 12-bolts with 10 bolts on the cover.

The name of the axle corresponds to the number of bolts on the CARRIER, not the cover.