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Author
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Topic: 9" Rearends, a few questions
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MDF99
Gearhead Posts: 234
From: Hamilton, Ohio, USA
Registered: May 2001
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posted 02-07-2002 11:24 AM
   
I've decided to try and hunt down a 9" rather than build up the stock 8" in my 66 Stang. Locally a junkyard guy says they've got "lots" of Ford 9" Rear Ends, $500 and up. Some are in cars, others are already out. I need to know how to identify the one I want. I know that ideally I'm looking for the "N" case with 3.25" bearings, 31 spline axles. I definately need traction lock and and preferably a 3.55 gear. As far as I.D. tags or stamps on the rearend, where are they located and what should it say? Any other tips concerning 9" rearend swaps into 66 Mustangs? As always, Thanks Much!!Matt
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 27499
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 02-07-2002 11:42 AM
Whoa Matt. 
First of all, find another yard! $500 and up for a used stock 9"? You can buy "NEW" Currie stuff in the $1000 range. Once you find a more reasonable vender you can look at the tags that are bolted to the pumpkin retaining bolts. The dead give a way will be the "limited slip fluid only" tag. Also some will say LOC or locking diff. This will at least tell you that it is a posi. Most of the tags will have the ratio right on them. Those that have just the code will have to be deciphered. If you post the codes here or e-mail them to me I can give you the details. Good luck.  ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator
NHRA/IHRA/SRA member
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00, '01, & '02
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Part time secret agent license #0089
US Class Nationals link
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Just Strokin
Gearhead Posts: 754
From: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 02-07-2002 11:42 AM
First off, the early Mustangs used a necked-down housing, so you need to get the u-bolts, and plates too. Would be a good idea to get new u-bolts also. If you get the plates for the shocks and u-bolts. make sure you get two that match your mustang. The competition suspensions used staggered shocks. The left and right plates were basically the same, unlike your early mustang.Second, there was no 3.55 gear for a 9". Some early fords had 3.56 but the most common gears in the 3-4 range is 3.25 and 3.50. The 3.89 and 3.91 are pretty scarce. Third, finding a housing will be the easy part, check these links for width information... DFW Motorsports
Kevin Stangs webpage
Woody's Fairlane page with info about the metal tag if still attached to rearend There are a few other sites that I have on my fav's at home.... The hard part is finding the 31 spline axles to fit the housing (length and bearing) unless you find a complete rearend. Lastly, the N case and 31 spine rears were used in some pickups, definately most any mustang, torino, etc with the 429. Don't count on any ordinary vehicle with the 429/460 to have the 31 spine nor N case. A lot of the 390's and even 428's didn't have the 31 spline nor N cases. Happy hunting. You may be one of the chosen few to find one on your first search. I hope this helps. On edit Oh yes, make sure you get the brakes too. Some of the larger cars use wider shoes in the back. So go for the complete drum to drum rear. Some people swear by the monarch/granada/lincoln disc brake rearend. It is a fairly easy swap providied you get everything including the parking brake cables, attaching points, etc. [This message has been edited by Just Strokin (edited 02-07-2002).]
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 45869
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 02-07-2002 11:54 AM
You can find rear end info in our Tech Articles section, too:https://mustangsandmore.com/ubb/Archives.html ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 M code 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 open
'72 Mustang Sprint Coupe 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Lok
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
'97 Probe GTS 2.5L DOHC
MCA Member # 47773
Speak softly, but carry a BFH!
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steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 9533
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 02-07-2002 12:02 PM
Matt,Here are some more links, https://mustangsandmore.com/ubb/FordRearDimensions.html https://mustangsandmore.com/ubb/RearTags.html For the housing: You'll be looking for a '57-'59 Ford or Edsel 9" rear (same size as your 8" housing other than you'll need 3" U bolts and plates)
OR
Granada or Versailles 9" housing (3/4" wider than your rear, 3" u-bolts, and disc brakes) BTW, if you use the good Lakewood traction bars the plate for the u-bolts is included. The 3" U-bolts can be found at most auto parts stores.
For the Center Section:
Look at Ford Trucks and Vans for the 31 spline TracLock w/ good ratios.
Axles:
You can have a pair of the truck axles shortened or buy a pair of 31 spline axles from Moser (about $325)
How's the engine/tranny install coming?
SteveW
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Just Strokin
Gearhead Posts: 754
From: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 02-07-2002 12:10 PM
The rearend tag link is broken.
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 45869
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 02-07-2002 12:18 PM
Thanks, I just fixed it.------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 M code 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 open
'72 Mustang Sprint Coupe 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Lok
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
'97 Probe GTS 2.5L DOHC
MCA Member # 47773
Speak softly, but carry a BFH!
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kid vishus
Gearhead Posts: 6590
From: middle of NC
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 02-07-2002 01:42 PM
$500 and up ?!?!?! I have never paid more than $150 for a complete 9" rearend and that was a truck rear that had 31 spline axles in it we h ad shortened for the use in my "other" racecar. I would be willing to bet he has "lots" of them on hand simply due to his price is WAAAAY out of line.
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MDF99
Gearhead Posts: 234
From: Hamilton, Ohio, USA
Registered: May 2001
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posted 02-07-2002 03:41 PM
Thanks for the help. I hope to be an expert on 9" rearends soon. I'll look around for cheaper ones. I'll at least go down and see what this guy has and maybe I'll learn a few things.It's warm here today so I've been out finishing off the paint job on the engine compartment. My motor is complete. The 5 speed set up is ready to roll.  Everything looks great, it's ready to drop in as soon as I finish the engine compartment and run new brake lines. It's been too cold to paint lately and I've been held up as a result. Hopefully in another month I'll be ready to fire it up. It seems like this project is taking five times as long as I originally planned. HA !!
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TomP
Gearhead Posts: 6120
From: Delta BC Canada
Registered: Dec 99
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posted 02-07-2002 03:53 PM
Unless that 5 speed is a Doug Nash/Richmond, Liberty, Jerico or similar you will break it before 28 spline axles break.The only 31 spline axles that width are Thunderbolts and the AFX cars. You'll need aftermarket axles, shortened and resplined 31 splines won't end up any stronger than 28 splines. Truck axles are 5 on 5 1/2" bolt pattern. $500 is silly unless all their rear ends are Mustang/Fairlane with (pick any 3) Posi, low gears , N case , 31 spline ,65-66 housing. What you'll probably end up doing is getting a 9" housing shortened to fit and using the existing 8" axles in it. That's what i'd do. Tom
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