Questions re modifying 72 Nova 8.5 rear for TriFive...

[BamaNomad]

I purchased a '72 Nova rear (8.5", 3.08 Posi gears) for installing in my '56 Nomad. I have removed the large multi-leaf perches from the Nova rear and am now removing the stock rear from the Nomad so I can 'match' up the trifive perches to the locations/angle of the stock rear. In removing the stock rear from the Nomad, I've noticed a couple of differences that I haven't paid much attention to until now.
1) The bracket that is welded to the stock rear which retains the brake line brass block. I think I've seen these for sale, but can't recall where. Can anyone help?
2) There is a little retainer welded to the axle tubes on each side which retains the stock bumper on the inboard end (the outboard ends are retained under the large U bolts. Any idea if/where these little clips might be located?

I suppose I can 'make these' if I have to, but I want to do so retaining the factory functions.

[WagonWonder]

Summit Racing has the brake stuff. Section 4, Sheet 4.00 drawing (http://www.trifivechevys.com/manuals.../4-4.gif)shows the 3711561 Retainer but I don't think it's reproduced. You should be able to cut yours off though and re-use.

[markm]

The only thing I can add is when doing a perch swap, heat is your enemy, use a grinder to remove old perches an skip around welding on new.

[BamaNomad]

Thanks for the comments.

It took a while to cut off the large multi-leaf Nova (same as Camaro) perches... 3 cuts across each using my DMC2000 (first time using this) before I could get the majority of the perches off so I could use the grinder to finish it off. I've been looking but haven't found any replacements for the brackets I was looking for, so I guess I'll have to simulate them (ie. make them)... having the right thickness metals around is usually my biggest issue with that...

[markm]

Thanks for the comments.

It took a while to cut off the large multi-leaf Nova (same as Camaro) perches... 3 cuts across each using my DMC2000 (first time using this) before I could get the majority of the perches off so I could use the grinder to finish it off. I've been looking but haven't found any replacements for the brackets I was looking for, so I guess I'll have to simulate them (ie. make them)... having the right thickness metals around is usually my biggest issue with that...

Most of the [NEW] NEVER EVER WORK perch's out there are too wide, they are pricey but H&H has correct ones for 55-57.

[BamaNomad]

Most of the [NEW] NEVER EVER WORK perch's out there are too wide, they are pricey but H&H has correct ones for 55-57.

I tacked on the Ecklers perches yesterday, and whomever said they were generally 'wider' was correct. They are a bit wider than stock, but only 1/8" or so.. so I used them. They also did not have the 'flanges' which welded to the tubes as did the original rear I removed. What is H&H???

I also checked out the 'clamp on' perches mentioned in another post which I was not familiar with prior.

[Rick_L]

H&H Classic Parts in Bentonville, Arkansas. A very good place to buy trifive parts especially if you're not too far away. They carry a broad line of parts. Good service, charge you actual shipping. Tell you whether they have it in stock.

[BamaNomad]

Most of the [NEW] NEVER EVER WORK perch's out there are too wide, they are pricey but H&H has correct ones for 55-57.

Mark... I should have LISTENED more closely.. to both you and Rick. I actually looked at the H&H site and didn't find the perches, and didn't get them on the phone, so I ordered from Ecklers a couple of weeks ago.. and of course welded them on and the past couple of days have attempted INSTALLING the rear.. The Ecklers perches were about 1/4" wider than the 2" wide stock ones.. and as you stated.. 'won't work'.. trying to get the U bolts around those perches and into the holes of the lower spring/shock bracket is difficult (to impossible?), but I'm still trying... thinking of heating the sides of the perches and 'hammering' them closer to the 2"...?? It KILLS me to think I've got to cut these off and redo all this stuff...

PS. I called H&H again this morning, asked them to measure the ones they have .. which are CORRECT and 2" wide...
Now I need some help from you folks.. (I can't bend my knees the right way so I can KICK MY OWN ASS!)... so have it boys.. teach me to LISTEN more..

[markm]

The H&H perches are not cheap but they are worth every penny of cost. I can walk in to a local 4x4 Off Road shop and buy those ill filling wide ones for about 12.95. Sorry, maybe I should have been more persistent on this, However, I am used to being ignored on the internet and figure sometime people have to learn the hard way like I did, in this regard, I do appreciate people who "man up " with follow up post that may help the next guy.

[55 Rescue Dog]

Mark... I should have LISTENED more closely.. to both you and Rick. I actually looked at the H&H site and didn't find the perches, and didn't get them on the phone, so I ordered from Ecklers a couple of weeks ago.. and of course welded them on and the past couple of days have attempted INSTALLING the rear.. The Ecklers perches were about 1/4" wider than the 2" wide stock ones.. and as you stated.. 'won't work'.. trying to get the U bolts around those perches and into the holes of the lower spring/shock bracket is difficult (to impossible?), but I'm still trying... thinking of heating the sides of the perches and 'hammering' them closer to the 2"...?? It KILLS me to think I've got to cut these off and redo all this stuff...

PS. I called H&H again this morning, asked them to measure the ones they have .. which are CORRECT and 2" wide...
Now I need some help from you folks.. (I can't bend my knees the right way so I can KICK MY OWN ASS!)... so have it boys.. teach me to LISTEN more..

Maybe changing the lower spring/shock plate would be the way to go. I have the one from AFCO racing and it fits great.