any ford rear end experts here???OT

[greg g]

Need to ID the diffy under my Studebaker, needs an axle seal and I am trying to get the correct e brake cables also. Link it to query posted on the HAMB also, can get differnt pics if needed.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8005801#post8005801

[oldodge41]

No expert by any means. I have read that the Lincoln Versailles rear was a popular swap due to their Ford 9" having disk brakes. A quick search turned up this http://www.mustangmonthly.com/techarticles/mump_0008_ford_granada_9_inch_rearend_swap/photo_03.html

Some of the photos seem somewhat similar. Hope that it helps.

[Plymouthy Adams]

not an expert Greg but if I were to guess I would say 8 inch model..reasoning..the very lowest bolt on the hoghead looks accessible whereas the 9 inch is shrouded by the casting..

quick test..using a socket of the right diameter with an extension..if it will go on straight it's an 8 if not it is a 9..

[greg g]

Well I found a cable that works with some goldburgian pieces. It was from a Ranger with rear discs. I have a set up that holds the vehicle, which is all that is required by state inspection language. So we'll see if its good to go when the fellow looks at it.

I will address the seal after get it on the road.

[oldodge41]

Looks like the guys on the HAMB are on the trail. Someone will nail it down there or here. Glad you got the brake working.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Greg..you do the socket/extension test yet...the 8 and 9 is so close in appearance this is the single most fast method of identification..the actual application of the rear gear I would not want to guess at..the 5 in pattern will be a weed out factor though..the picture you have of the hoghead with the view of the drivers side behind the pinion..this is the bolt in question.. a 9 inch will have this bolt shrouded and no direct access with a socket and extension...

[greg g]

Not yet, after I got the cable cobbed I took it down of the jack stands. but I gotta get back uder to replace the electric fuel pump, so I will take a minute to check that out. Seems to me I read that some where but forgot about it.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I kinda went through this a bit back..a Ford rear end came with a project car I bought..it proved to be by research an 8 incher with 3.0 gears..the axle is too narrow for the car in which it was intended..way too narrow..but I am not sure of the build and if this was intentional and the PO was going to tub the rear a bit..I am saving the rear gear for possible fit on a small English car..it is the right width for that..

the 8 incher is quite the work horse rear gear of the later ages..sorta like the 81/4 is the Mopar workhorse today over the 8 3/4

[Scruffy49]

Looks like a first generation Exploder 8 inch. Which looked a lot like a Fairmont (V8 model) 8 inch. Which was the same as a Fox body 5.0 8 inch. Although dollars to donuts it is a smallblock 70s Ranchero unit. The big block cars got 9 inch rears. Had an underslung 8 inch out of a 1971 302 Ranchero for my truck, had to leave it when we moved.

Get the numbers off the chunk and swing by your local stealership parts dept. They'll run it and tell you what it came out of. No sense guessing, takes them a couple minutes to tell you what you have.

If they could figure out the Argentine-built, full floater, 5 lug Dana 44 in my USA built, Canadian engined, special order 1977 F100 (with a C5 automatic)... a belly button 8 incher isn't a problem.