Ford Differentials

The Number 1 Question - How do I Know If My Rear Is An 8" Or 9"?????
The easiest way to tell is to try to put a socket on the lower bolts.  On the 8" shown here, the socket goes on straight without hitting the case.  On the 9" shown here, the socket won't fit this position or the bolt on the other side of center.  Note the pocket at the bolt location necessary because of the larger pinion support.

Don't have the carrier?

If you look at the top and bottom most bolts that hold the carrier to the housing with the housing horizontal as it would be in the car, an 8" measures about 8 7/8" center to center of those two bolts, and a 9" rear measures about 10" on those bolts.
Why is the Ford rear desired by many building hot rods and race cars?
The 8” and 9” have an extra bearing in the front of the pinion to give it extra support.  This third bearing reduces flexing of the pinion under hard acceleration.  These rears also utilize the axle bearing to retain the axle, unlike C-clips used in some other rears.  If an axle were to break, the C-clip retainer, located in the carrier, can not keep a broken axle in the housing.  The drop-out carrier also makes maintenance easier.

 
YEAR/MODEL  (flange to flange) 46" 50" 52" 54" 56" 57" 58 3/4" 60"
'66-'77 BRONCO X






'58-'60 THUNDERBIRD
X





'57-'59 FORD/EDSEL

X




'63-'69 FALCON

X




'63-'69 COMET

X




'63-'65 FAIRLANE

X




'65-'66 MUSTANG

X




'67-'70 MUSTANG/COUGAR


X



'66-'69 FAIRLANE/CYCLONE

X X



'70-'71 TORINO/CYCLONE



X


'71-'73 MUSTANG/COUGAR


X



'60-'64 FORD/MERCURY


X X


'61-'67 THUNDERBIRD



X


'58-'72 F-100 PICKUP




X

'73-'90 F-100 & F-150 PICKUP





X
'70s LINCOLN TOWN CAR






X
Not responsible for any errors, etc.
 
 

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