I was wondering if there was a telltale way to distinguish an 8" rearend. There is one for sale here locally, and I am looking to buy it, but would like to know some more info, and details. It is said to be an 8", it has leaf spring perches, and that is about all I know at this point. A few questions for all: - Is there any of these that were not as good as others? - Are all 8" rears, basically the same? - Finally, I cannot remember what the width was on my fenderless Model A that I used to own, what is a good width range to be in for a fenderless A ? Thanks for any help that can be given, I am not too versed on the ford rearends, and do not want to buy someone elses junk. -Joe Here are some pictures that are on the ad, sorry, this is as big as they came:
If you can get a socket on all the nuts holding in the center, then its an 8 inch. If you need a wrench to get the two below the snout off, its a 9.. I think you want no more than about 60 inches wide on the outside, or about 54 inches backing plate to backing plate. Does he know what its out of? 65-68 Mustang, 63-6 Falcon, 62-67 Fairlane, Granada or Maverick will all have about the same width as above.
A good width for a Model A would be 56"- 58" from wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface. On my coupe I have an early Bronco 9" which measures 58". The 8" Fords are fairly strong and will survive with a mild engine. I wouldn't go drag racing with one.
I cannot go look at it until saturday, the guy works afternoons, and I work days. He is unsure what it is from, and thought it might be out of a pick-up of some sort, due to it being leaf springs... but it sounded like he didnt have a clue. The bolt pattern looks too small for a truck.
To me it looks like one axle is much longer than the other. It may be out of an early Econoline van. It will be pretty wide if it is. All the cars I listed above have leaf spring rear ends. The full size cars had the coil sprung rears, and were 9 inches.
Have a look at this before you go look at it. There is some very good info on the Ford rears here. http://www.kevinstang.com/Ninecase.htm
Looks like a Maverick to me. The drums and main housing all look Maverick. They are perfect for an A. Look to see if the tag is still bolted to a center section stud. Will tell the ratio. Most were 3.00 or 2.78 or something. It is a 8in for sure and not a Pinto or Mustang
That is an 8-inch for sure. The ribs on the center are 8-inch design. Also the socket test on the lower bolts. Since tubes are not necked down at the ends, it is not a Mustangs II or Pinto, and those would be stock four lug. The early Mustangs were necked down also, this appears straight. My guess is that rear is from a basic mid 70's maverick or granada, both were leaf spring. The gears will be 2.79 or 3.00 and non-limited slip almost for sure.
Thanks again for all the info, I bought it today. It ended up being between 56-58 inches... but no tag on rear, I will have to figure out the ratio later. Not bad for $100.00.
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