removed perches: did I mess it up. Ford 8.8
 

Hello,

I had to remove the perches from the Ford 8.8 rear end I'm putting in my '37 Chevrolet. I've never done this before and tried to be as careful as I could but I still got into the axle tubes.

Does this look like I cut too far into the tubes? Do I need to go back and reweld to fill in these holes and grind it back smooth?

http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/...7/DSCF5831.jpg

http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/...7/DSCF5830.jpg

http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/...7/DSCF5827.jpg

Did I cut these perches too much, or can I reuse them. They do still have plenty of material to sit correctly on the axle.

http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/...7/DSCF5832.jpg

http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/...7/DSCF5833.jpg

Thanks,
Brandon

I don't think so. If the 8.8 is anything like the 9" those tubes are a good 1/4" thick so a little divet like those shouldn't compromise their strength. If it concerns you just fill it with weld.... but do it with stitches not one continuous weld. Take your time and don't overheat the tube or it could distort. However, my guess is you don't need to do that.

Here's a pic of a 9" I narrowed for my deuce. At this point it's tacked together but you can see by the bevels how thick those axle tube really are.

http://hotrodsandhemis.com/DeuceRearEnd/IMG_0919a.JPG

Centerline
HotRodsAndHemis.com

"It is not always possible to be the best, but it is always possible to improve your own performance. " - Jackie Stewart

its probably ok, but I think I would puts some weld into the deepest areas of the groove (just for piece of mind)

the perches will still work fine
just make sure they sit at the same height (you may have to do some grinding on one, to even them out)

yes, the axles are as thick as 9" tubes. There also a little bigger in diamater ( 3 1/4" IIRC ). Those perches need to sit level, so I would buy new out of peice of mind. There like $25 for a pair. The offroad shops carry them. Just make sure it's listed for an Expo axle

Ok, thanks guys. That's a load off my mind. It took me a long time to finally select this rear end from all the ones I found at pull-a-part and the thought of having to start the process over would be a real headache.

I'm a bit nervous about welding some perches back on because I don't want to warp the tube. I guess I'll just go really slow as mentioned and stitch it. Better safe than sorry.

Thanks,
Brandon

you will be ok
they dont need to be welded super well
the u-bolts do most of the work ;)