All, I just picked up a 1974 Maverick 8" to rear the 8" in my 65. From reading here it will allow me a bit more room for wheels and tires. I plan to drill new mounting holes in spring perches to move rear back 1". Im wondering if I can get a 15x7 steelie with 235 60R15 BFG drag radial? Id like to fit a 245/50R15 BFG but just dont think they will go from what I have read. Someone tell me its possible Show me what you got and tell me your set up...please
Where it gets close or rubs is on the outside of the wheelhouse. Not sure you want to start modifying that area or not. Also the front dogleg, which won’t allow a too tall a tire. Could always mini tub it, then fit on a 275 60 15 drag radial.
Well, I used to own both a '64 Comet and a '65 Sprint and both have very tight rear wheelhouses. The biggest I could fit under the Comet was a 225/60R15 on a 15x7 wheel with 4.25" backspacing. I would get very occasional light rubbing with this combo however. The Falcon has slightly more room outboard (about .5 inch) but the same inboard. Now I used Falken tires which aren't as 'bulgy' as the equivalent TA, so some very careful measuring will be needed. The drag radial is a bit wider than the standard TA however. The next size up is a 275 in the drag radial, it's 1.5" wider yet, that'll need either tubs or radiused wheel openings. The 'standard' TA widths are 8.85" for the 225, 9.25 for the 235, 9.8 for the 245, and 10.2 for the 255. Diameters vary from 25.6" to 27.1". I'd say that a 225/60 will fit without issues, a 235 may fit, but bigger I'd measure very carefully. That 4.25" backspacing is common, you may have issues trying find a different backspacing off the shelf. I will also say that if running the drag radials as intended, that 8" won't take it. You'll need to step up to either a 9" or a later-model 8.8" or expect breakage. A 8" will live behind a medium hot 289/302 with street tires, more motor and/or more tire will kill it.
The set up under my Cyclone is probably more than you are thinking but maybe you can use it for comparison. The rear wheel opening’s are not modified, the inner wheel house’s are both lengthened and slightly tubed, the leaf springs have been relocated 2 1/2” inboard, and the axle centerline has been moved back 2”. I have a 275x60- 15’s mounted on American Rebel 15x8” wheels with a 2 1/4”backspace. The rear end housing is from Winter’s, I fabricated everything except the center housing and axle tubes, it is narrow. I have more than enough room around the tires so there is no rubbing anywhere, the car sit’s low. Keep us posted on your progress.
I was under the impression 8" rear was good for a decent street car, 4-500 Hp....Hopefully I didn't waste my money on 4.11 trac-loc and gear.
Wanted the B f/X look…went with 15 x 5 TTO up front with skinny Pro Trac’s. Rears are 15x6 Series 64 WV wheels with M&H “muscle car” DOT tires 215/65/15..wheels were whatever is on the Summit webpage…rear end is a “built” 8”..I have an Automatic and estimated 350-375 HP 11:1 289..3:55 gear
Well, let's put it this way... Ford limited the 8" to non-hipo 302 and smaller motors. Check the box for a 351 (even a 2V version) and you got a 9" (except for a few models in the '80s that had been smogged down to 302 power levels). The 271HP 289, first-gen Shelby Mustangs and Boss 302s all came with 9" rears, along with all full-size cars and trucks regardless of motor. With that said, IMO you could get away with 400HP in a light street car equipped with an automatic. About 350 if running a manual trans on street tires. If planning any drag strip use with aggressive launches on sticky tires, switch up to a 9" or 8.8". You'll find zero serious cars at the strip running an 8"... Stay within its limitations and it's a decent rear. Exceed them and suffer the consequences. I'll also note that the 28 spline axles used in the 8" are another weak point. I lost count of how many of those I broke, although those were in a 9" (same axles in both).
Super nice ride, love the stance and tires. thank you for posting specifics...exactly what I was after.
Rear tires..https://cokertire.com/tires/m-h-mus...BwE&gbraid=0AAAAAD9UnFVEiWEF2Yzym_MLJWwTqx5CP front tires…https://cokertire.com/tires/pro-trac-front-runner-560-15.html front rims…I did sand the machine lines down, blasted them, and sparyaed them with liquid graphite for the Magnesium look….https://www.jegs.com/i/American-Racing/286/VN3095565/10002/-1 Rear rims…https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...LR2GZhTQiwtU41DJjAk0SgEfMcLLQHxQimmuZkA9AOb1a hope that helps…my rear ends from a Maverick also..I had a center section built buy a guy that said it would hold 400 hp..has a Eaton true Trac and a few other bits that are supposed to help it live..I’ve got a 3000 Coan converter in it and for a little 289 it’s pretty quick outta the hole due to the cam choice with an RPM range for 1800-6000..I also have some heavier springs for the rear..no wheel hop..it hooks really good with those tires and springs…the Lakewoods are more for looks haha hope that helps… I dig your car…very cool..are those bumpers gl***? Would look good painted silver like the old drag cars and break up the white…digging the red, white, and blue theme
A few more from when a buddy and I were wrapping up some work on the cars and the car that inspired me…old Detroit car a friend had a hand in building…I have a set of black steel wheels with M&H’s in the garage…
loveoftiki, I appreciate all the detailed information, very helpful! im in the process of tearing the maverick rear apart, gonna completely go through it. The kit I bought for 8" has all bearing, trac-loc and gear. I'll buy and rebuild everything else over the next month or so. The bummer is I just put Calvert split mono and caltracts for the 8" in the car..the axle tubes on the falcon are 2.25". So I'll need to buy new leaf spring plates and u-bolts from Calverts for new larger axle tube I'm thinking of chrome steelies front and rear 15x5, 15x7 in rear... I like this look
Great look…hard to go wrong with that one…only issue now is those rims are more expensive than the Americans on the front of my car…when I bought my chromies I think I payed 119.00 a pice and front Americans were 99.00
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3355143737...FDC9F5&hash=item4e1e370e91:g:eA8AAOSw~FVmrTZT Where I got my center section…the prices have sure gone up…
It's a 289 with 4spd, original to the car. Currently working on a late model 302 roller block, porting some 289 heads with larger valves and a tunnel ram with 2 390cfm carbs. Keeping it old school.
I have a '64 Ranchero with an 8" diff and fitted 15x8 Torq Thrust Ds on the rear. I fitted 235/60 tyres and they just fit. The tyres get close near the dog leg (end of sill) and the sidewall is close to the leaf spring. If I went with a bigger tyre I would need to perform mods. I can get pics if needed Cheers Turns
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