Nine inch housings

Originally Posted by 65FalconLover

My 9-inch was out of a 80's vintage Granada and was the correct width. Both the Ford Granada and Lincoln Versailles used a 9-inch rearend.

The VAST majority of granadas came with 8" rears, so you got lucky!

The Lincoln Versailles had the old, HEAVY, troublesome, expensive rear disks. There are FAR better setups nowadays, so it's good to hear you used a standard rear and stepped up to some better brakes.

Good Luck!

ps... I've had the stock 8" housing, two 57-59 Ford housings, and finally the Currie housing under the mustang.

I've used the following 8" gear ratios... 2.80, 3.40 and 3.55.

I've used the following 9" ratios... 3.00, 3.25, 3.50, 3.70, 3.89, 4.11, 4.30, 4.33, 4.56, 4.57, and 4.86

These have been used with open carrier, 2-pinion trac-locs, 4-pinion trac locs, Detroit locker and spool diffs. The 2-pinion units are weak, the 4-pinion are surprisingly strong, the DL is super tough, and the spool will pinch the tubes in slicks and street slicks when driven daily around town. Trac-locs will smoke the clutches and turn into basically 'open' diffs if one tire is spun too hard much at all.

The 57-59 9" axles are very tapered and extremely weak. The 65-66 8" mustang axles are far stronger. The 'home made' 31 spline axles are a little stronger, but not trustworthy. Aftermarket 31 spline axles have held up to everything I've dished out so far... as has the Detroit Locker and OEM Ford 'N' case/Daytona pinion support.

Good Luck!

Originally Posted by n2omike

57-59 Ford housings are awefully weak and are prone to get bent/warped. (been there, done that) Small bearing housings (all 8" and many 28 spline 9") can't use a conventional axle seal with 31 spline axles, so they have to use a bearing with an O-ring around its outside diameter to seal the oil. If a conventional seal is desired, a person has to step up to housing ends made for larger bearings...

Good Luck!

Just a note, the Superior axles that I installed in my 59' housing use conventional bearings and axle seals. It used a stock Mustang wheel bearing (not included with the axles) and the 59' axle seals which have a larger OD than a Mustang seal. I believe the same axle seal was used in mid-60's 9" Fairlanes and Galaxies too.

I agree with Mike that unless you get the 57-59 rear for little or nothing, it is best to start with an aftermarket housing and fill it with good parts. I've had mine installed since the mid-80's and so far the housing and the WAR case have held together just fine, but I do not run a power adder and am probably living on borrowed time.

Originally Posted by dennis111

Just a note, the Superior axles that I installed in my 59' housing use conventional bearings and axle seals. It used a stock Mustang wheel bearing (not included with the axles) and the 59' axle seals which have a larger OD than a Mustang seal. I believe the same axle seal was used in mid-60's 9" Fairlanes and Galaxies too.

I'd be curious to know what the measurements are on those axles at the seal, or the part number of the seal. Some axles are bigger than others right there. From memory, the Mosers are pretty big in that area, and I don't see how there would be room for a seal... but one would be nice (compared to the o-ring). I'll have to look at mine closer next time they are out.

Neat info

Originally Posted by n2omike

I'd be curious to know what the measurements are on those axles at the seal, or the part number of the seal. Some axles are bigger than others right there. From memory, the Mosers are pretty big in that area, and I don't see how there would be room for a seal... but one would be nice (compared to the o-ring). I'll have to look at mine closer next time they are out.

Neat info

My axles, being direct replacements, have the beefier, non tapered, axle stubs and 31 splines and yet use stock type bearings and seals. The axles just barely pass through the seal and they spread it lips slightly on the way in. These were originally spec'ed for a 65/66 Mustang but fit great in the 57/59 small bearing housing. Your upgraded Mosers (and other custom performance manufacturers) most probably build them beefier in all areas and this necessitates the O-ring and special bearing.

Anyways, here are some dimensions that I have from old notes when I installed these axles in my 57-59 small bearing housing.

Seal part #'s Original Ford B7A-1177-B which later became a C9OZ-1177-A. Aftermarket equivalent is a National 9568. Another good # is 62320, but unknown which manufacturer (I assume its CR.)
--Axle diameter that the seal rides on: 1.360"
--OD of seal : 2.373"
Note to others: This is not the correct seal for a 8" Mustang housing. The ID is the same, but the early 57-59' housing uses a larger OD seal.

Bearing is standard 65/66 Mustang 8" stuff. The one I used is a Federal Mogul (BCA) RW-207-CCRA
--ID of bearing: 1.380"
--OD of bearing: 2.285"

Thanks Dennis!

Not all 9" axles can be shortened and re-splined. The early 9" axles taper down, and cannot be done. The later 28 and 31 spline axles that can be re-splined have to have at least 4" taken out of them to be re-splined, and after that you are probably to narrow to work in a conventional non-tubbed car. Be aware that the aftermarket small bearing 31 spline axles that use the stock bearing and seal also use the stock 28 spline shaft size at the bearing, so while you are gaining strength at the spline, you still have the same size at the wheel. (where most axles break) There are also some aftermarket axles that use the large bearing shaft size with an adapter bearing that allows it to fit the small bearing housing- these bearings will fail in a short time on the street!!!! Moser was pushing that style of axle , and probably still is, it is fine for strip only. If you are going to do any kind of serious HP racing, it is best to step up to a large bearing housing that will accept 31,33 or 35 spline axles. The '67-'73 Ford truck housings have a heavy wall 3" axle tube, accept large axle bearings and they are the small web housings that look right in a leaf spring vehicle, not like the massive housings out of coil spring cars.

Well that gives me some good info and helps alot in terms of my worrying about finding one.

One other question, since there are problems with finding shafts, what places offer either a variety of commonly needed lengths or custom shafts at a cheap enough price (i'm good with even maybe under $200 a shaft). Just wondering what you guys would reccomend.

I use Dutchman Axles exclusively as their products are second to none and customer service is awesome. I have ordered at least 100 pairs from them over the years with no reported problems yet. An axle kit from them which includes new alloy axles, bearings, studs,seals and retainer plates is $370.00. Their blanks are not forged in Pakistan or India like some of the other brands.

Originally Posted by 347LX

If I was building a light car like a falcon I would go with a 8.8 they can built to handle nearly as much power as a 9" but do not take take as hp to turn. A 8.8 will take 300rwhp with ease. If your set on a 9" any housing can be shortened and you can get custom lenght axles made for around $300.00.

Agreed. I have an 8.8 in my Mustang and I launch on a full slick at 6,000. Build it right and it will take the pain!

For a price point, the Currie housing I put in the Mustang was the heavy duty unit, thick 3" tubes, small bearing ends, spring pads installed at the stock setting. It came with all the fasteners, nuts and washers - delivered to the front porch the cost was $389. The housing that Peyton built for me back in 1990 for the Falcon was $350.