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400 HP and 28 spline axles = trouble?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by derelict, Jan 6, 2004.

  1. derelict
    Joined: Nov 28, 2001
    Posts: 490

    derelict
    Member

    I'm getting ready to put a strong small block in the coupe to replace the 327. The engine should put out in the neighborhood of 380 HP and 420 lbs. torque. I'm running a 350 turbo, 3.00 geared 9 inch Ford rearend with 28 spline axles. The car probably weighs around 2,500 lbs. with 31 inch tall tires. It'll probably see the strip a couple of times a year. I'm not crazy about changing the rearend at this time so my question for you guys is will the axles hold up with that torque and horsepower? [​IMG]
     
  2. FEDER
    Joined: Jan 5, 2003
    Posts: 1,270

    FEDER
    Member

    It will work just fine dont worry.I have in the past had some good runnin fords with 4 speeds.Never broke an axle just u joints.--Feder
     
  3. Thirdyfivepickup
    Joined: Nov 5, 2002
    Posts: 6,096

    Thirdyfivepickup
    Member

    In a word, yes. If you had some heavy car with slicks and a banger, mmmmm no. With the light weight and auto trans spinning tall tires... no problem.

    Just make sure the axles are in good shape. You'll be fine!
     
  4. ELpolacko
    Joined: Jun 10, 2001
    Posts: 4,682

    ELpolacko
    Member

    ran my 63 F100 with the stock rear end and a really strong 427 BBC in front of it. 275/40-17 Yokohama AVS sports on the rear and managed to get 600ft/lbs to the ground. Even with stupid stuff I never hurt those splines, maybe leaned on them a bit but they never gave way.

    I would think you would be in fine shape. If you manage to "hook" that thing a couple of times you will twist them eventually. For now I wouldn't worry about it
     
  5. FLAT-TOP BOB
    Joined: Aug 19, 2002
    Posts: 1,968

    FLAT-TOP BOB
    HAMB O'dex Editor

    i have the close to the same set up in my 32. less hp but it does have a muncie. been on the road with no trouble for years!
     
  6. old beet
    Joined: Sep 25, 2002
    Posts: 5,750

    old beet
    Member

    Been runnin same pair of 28 spline axles for over 25 years. 51 F-1 ,3400lbs, healthy 390 tri-power--best of hundreds of trips down the quarter mile-13.25 @ 105. Never had a problem.........OLDBEET
     
  7. Deuce Roadster
    Joined: Sep 8, 2002
    Posts: 9,519

    Deuce Roadster
    Member Emeritus

    [​IMG]


    My Roadster weighs 2240 lbs. It has a healthy SBC (aluminum heads, intake, water pump, roller camshaft and rockers), a 400 Turbo (with a switch pitch Buick converter) and a 3.50 factory Ford gear. I have a Detroit Locker. The tires are 28 inches tall. It hooks pretty hard.... [​IMG]

    I twisted the splines on my 28 spline axles. I never broke one but they had moved almost 1 complete spline. I now have 31 spline axles [​IMG]



    .
     
  8. Cool!

    Do it!

    Where did you get the motor??

    And are you going to sell me your ol' 327 that came out of it?? [​IMG]

    Sam.
     
  9. derelict
    Joined: Nov 28, 2001
    Posts: 490

    derelict
    Member

    Thank ya, Thank ya very much everyone, and yeh Sam the 327 is on the block. [​IMG]
     
  10. 38Chevy454
    Joined: Oct 19, 2001
    Posts: 6,771

    38Chevy454
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    You won't hook up enough to create problems with street tires. Run slicks and a trans brake (or dump the clutch from 6000 with a manual) and you're asking for trouble, but 420 ft-lbs is not anywhere near danger zone with street tires on 28 spline axles.
     
  11. Mild Mitch
    Joined: Nov 5, 2001
    Posts: 117

    Mild Mitch
    Member

    D-
    I have a 1957 9"/28 spline axle (probably the weakest 9" Ford made) in my Roadster with a little more on tap than what you're putting in the Coupe.

    Roadster weighs within a couple hundred of yours. I've THRASHED the Hell outta it as you know and NEVER had a problem! 'Course it'll only HookUp with the 14" wide Dirt Track 'Stones on there, but no problems there either.
    It'll hold up!
    DO IT! [​IMG]
     
  12. 31's would be nice, but the 28's will work fine.

    My 2400# 32 roadster runs a mildly built 462" Buick with about 520# torque.

    Rear axle is a 28 spline open 9" running 3.70 gears.
    Tires are 30" tall and 8" wide, fairly soft and will bite good when the converter is flashed at about half or 3/4 throttle on clean, dry pavement.

    40,000 miles and no axle problems.
     
  13. Bugman
    Joined: Nov 17, 2001
    Posts: 3,483

    Bugman
    Member

    Just curious, how much stronger is a 31 spline rear end?
     
  14. You shouldn't have any trouble at all with the 28 spline axles. You're car is pretty light, and the mill isn't pounding out that much torque.

    If you have a heavy ride, and lots of torque then I would suggest the 31 spline rear. Or I guess if you put really sticky tires on it you might have a problem.

    I run a 28 spline on a 2800 lb car, 3.26 gear, 28" tires about 444 ft lbs for quite awhile (everyday and the strip about once a month). I switched to 31 spline when I narrowed the rear and had to buy aftermarket axles.

    A friend is still running the 28 in a '55 chev with a 502. Been about 3 years now. He probably needs the bigger rear but...

    I cant come up with numbers on the difference in the rears but you should be just fine.

    An old guy that I really respected used to say, "if you blow it up with a 4bbl, rebuild it with 2. If that blows huff it..."

    You already got the 28 and you aren't ready to upgrade right? If it blows build it stronger. [​IMG]

     

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