Will the hubs from a '70's era srw 14bolt fit on a '96 c&c rear? I know the brakes changed during that period, but I am not sure about the hubs.

The quick answer is yes.... that is unless the '96 axle has the unique 3rd style of hub. I've only encountered them on a 70" 14b from a box van, but if the '96 axle has that type of hub, then you're screwed. The 3rd type of hub has a different bearing spacing than the other two and will not interchange.

First pic shows standard SRW hub next to standard DRW hub. Second pic shows a standard SRW hub next to the unique 3rd style hub.
(Both pics ganked from this board)

Thanks. I found a c&c rear axle at a good price, but the seller wasn't about to let me pull it apart to check hub measurements.

my 70" box van axle uses the standard SRW hubs.

The particular axle that I know had the weird hubs was a '97 I believe. Was your box van axle older than that?

The particular axle that I know had the weird hubs was a '97 I believe. Was your box van axle older than that?yeah, mines the pre 88 style.

Makes sense.... I have only seen the queer hubs on the newer 14 bolts with the slip on drums.

its quite possible that all the newer ones have that style hub, to make up the difference of the thickness pf the drum on the other side of the hub.