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Enhance a Ford 8" or ??

2K views 13 replies 7 participants last post by  Strick 
#1 ·
I have a '36 Ford P/u street rod. It has a 52" Ford rear end out of a '63 to '65 Ford Fairlane. This is a Ford 8" rear end, and not an 8.8" - Correct?

For the bigger question. Is it even worth my time and $$ to put the gears in I want (3.73 or 3.80 whichever the 8" takes), AND put in a posi unit, or junk it and have a 9" narrowed?

Is there any such thing as finding a limited slip 9" with gears of 3.55 or 3.73 stock that is in a 52" housing?

Thanks guys, I just don't want to make a high $$ mistake here. Also, I can't find an aftermarket posi set-up for the 8", just the 8.8" & 9".

Strick
 
#2 ·
I would just put a posi into it and find some low gears. 9 inchers are kinda rare and are expensive to find. WIth a low gear set an 8 inch will live longer than with a high gear set. And yes, it is an 8 inch, the 8.8 came into play in 1979 and is usally a 4link setup.
 
#4 ·
if you can't find parts for the8'' try randy's ring and pinion. they sell third members with popular gearing all set up.
the # is1-877-349-3062
<a href="http://www.ring-pinion.com" target="_blank">www.ring-pinion.com</a>
i have dealt with them for hard to find stuff and had good luck.
the shop i work for can get that stuff as well, but i'm not here to drum up buisnes.

[ July 14, 2002: Message edited by: axle bastard ]</p>
 
#8 ·
Although overlooked for years, the 8" is a great rear end. Now that 9" prices have started to skyrocket the lowly 8" is coming into its own. With good gears the 8" will be plenty strong. I ran one in a Ranchero with a 400 h.p. aluminum head 302 with no problems. I also have one in a realatively heavy '41 Ford coupe with a 351W and no problems there either. The 8.8 is best known for its use in the later 5.0 Mustangs and also came in F-150's starting in about '79. Its a stout rear end but you should just stay with the 8". Good Luck.
 
#10 ·
1st - thanks to all the advice, it is greatly appreciated by someone who literally grew up in the car scene (father was affiliated with GM for 43 years), but I have been OUT of the car (hot rod) scene for about 22 years or so. There is not much auto stuff left upstairs that isn't covered with 6" of dust.

I am sticking with the 8" for now, mainly because I am out of time. The search for the right 9" and IF I found it, getting the 5-point suspension put back on, will take a long time (I think). I ordered a complete 3rd member from Currie. Randy's wanted my 3rd member, the same amount of $$ and a lot of time to get it there and back.

I understand that Currie uses an Auburn set up for the posi, and I went with 3.80 gears. Since Currie is so close to me, I should have the unit tomorrow.

If I decide to go nuts with the motor in this thing, which I probably will, I will find a 9" to put in. My attitude right now with the 307 motor and the 8" rear end is; if they blow, they blow!
 
#13 ·
let us know how that 8 incher works out. I still have my stock open diff 2.79 8 inch in mine right now with 320hp. Its really holding me back performance wise. I was always affraid it would break so i got myself a 9incher. What kind of 3rd member are they using? I heard that the 68 and ups are stronger than the earlier ones but i was just curious if they came up with a new one, like custom with extra webbing or something.
 
#14 ·
The upgrade (2.80-3.80 posi) I put in last night. I am now embarking on the engine work, so it probably won't be street worthy again until Saturday. The thrid member is a newer third member. It has a drain plug on the front, my original one did not. The company offered a $100 core return with the drain plug type, but my original becomes a door stop without. The install was very easy. Thanks to everyone for their advice.

I will post back what I think of the rear end. I will say that with the original rear end at 45-50 mph I drove in 2nd gear (TH 350) a lot, just to have some power.

[ July 18, 2002: Message edited by: Strick ]</p>
 
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