Old Bravo lower W/ new Bravo upper?
 

Can I bolt an older (pre 1990) Bravo lower to a newer (post 1995) Bravo upper? The only real difference I can see is an oil hole in the newer drive. Thing is, some of the IMCO lowers have this oil hole blocked.
So, can I run an older lower with a newer upper?
Can I also do this visa-versa? (newer lower W/older upper)?
Thanks,
Gordo

Re: Old Bravo lower W/ new Bravo upper?
 

Also,
I have seen a newer "replacement" lower that had the "boss" for this oil hole, but the hole was not there.
Can I drill out this oil hole to use with newer upper? Do I even need to?

Re: Old Bravo lower W/ new Bravo upper?
 

I don't think so,the old bravo upper has a oil vent hole in top cap and fill hole in the side where its normally vented. As far as I know if you put a new upper on a old lower no oil could get to the top from the bottom and it would melt down because there would be no oil passage between the two. I have a old style upper in real good shape with good looking gears and bearings I'd like to sell if anyones interested,Smitty

Re: Old Bravo lower W/ new Bravo upper?
 

You can put an newer lower on an older upper. Simply put a plug in the extra oil in the newer lower. I've run one that way for 2 years.

Re: Old Bravo lower W/ new Bravo upper?
 

I've done this too with no problems.

Re: Old Bravo lower W/ new Bravo upper?
 

What does that hole connecting the upper to the lower do,allow oil to drain back,let oil from churning in lower pump to the top or is it a vent? I have a nice early upper I just could have sold a few days ago to a friend :( but didn't think it would work,at least I know now though,Smitty

Re: Old Bravo lower W/ new Bravo upper?
 

Thanks Payton.
Now, is it possible to run a newer upper with older, (non oiler) lower if I simply plug the upper hole?

Re: Old Bravo lower W/ new Bravo upper?
 

no you can not run newer with older its an oil hole and provides improved oil circulation on the drive which inturn lets them run cooler I wouldnt recomend "plugging it" to anyone bravos need all the help that they can get

Re: Old Bravo lower W/ new Bravo upper?
 

So heres the big question,once you've plugged the new style lower and bolted a old style upper on it would the drive work exactly like a old style upper and lower (no better/no worse than what pre-91 bravos came from the factory like),just without the extra cooling a newer one would have OR would it create a new problem,Smitty

Re: Old Bravo lower W/ new Bravo upper?
 

That is what I was told by the company that I bought my new style lowers from. They are known for doing performance upgrades on Bravos. The lowers I bought had been replaced with some shorties.

GOODT tell me if I was told wrong. And how can it be fixed?