jrmotorsports55

Never heard that before and I have swapped used gear sets into cars in the past with no issues. I don't have the before backlash number so fingers crossed that this one turns out fine as well. I installed a new carrier and new bearings so the stock sized shims were not right. Had to remeasure and restack.

charchri4

+1 to Tbone I was thinking the same thing when you posted a backlash setting of .10. With an unknown number from the old diff I would at least stay to the inside of the spec which if memory serves is .06 to .10 because in 1000 miles it's going to be .13 or more.

I would also not run synthetic in it if you are planning to. A 25 to 100% mix of Lucus will take the noise down 5 to 15db accordingly...

jrmotorsports55

Spec is .008-.015 with preferred being .012-.015, so I went on the tight side (.010) due to new bearings. Checked it in three spots and only had variation of .001 whereas max allowable is .004. Again, never had a problem in the past using used gears and targeting .010 spec with my mustangs. Planning on running redline gear oil, again, always used that in the past with no issues.

Rear end is now hanging in place in the car, still need to tack up the front torque plate though. We'll see what happens, hoping my past history with rear gears continues and I don't have to pull it back out. I may end up having to any way if this track-lock does not hold up to put in a torsen unit.

charchri4

Copy that. Sounds line you are going to come out good on it!

jrmotorsports55

Fingers crossed.

jrmotorsports55

Got the torque plate welded in today. Next job is the axles, not looking forward to that mess.

Richharr

The axles were a 20 minute job. Much easier and faster than rebuilding a rear

jrmotorsports55

Good to know. It's on the to do list for this weekend.

jrmotorsports55

AHHHHHHHH!!!! I just want one thing to go right! Started the axle conversion and it appears that the replacement axles that I bought have thicker axle shafts as the Tripod just slid right over the Martin axle. They are Suretrack FD 8082 axles. They appear to be 7.5 CVs and the inner and outer splines fit in the hubs correctly. Seriously pissed right now. Can't return these either as I bought them over a year ago. NOw I need to find axles to use.

Ford5.0

I got A1Cardone 60-2023 axles. I haven't converted them yet but they appear to be the same diameter as Martin's axles.

jrmotorsports55

Yeah, turns out I have 8.8 axles. They were listed when I searched for a NA 3.8 tbird, but guess rockauto had that one wrong. Ordered new axles, just waiting for them to arrive.

Started replacing bushings in the rear suspension with ES poly ones, and replaced the hub bearing as well (on drivers side now, still have to get over to the pass side). Slowly making progress.

jrmotorsports55

Got the new axles. They appear to be same OD as Martin's. I'll find out for sure real soon.

jrmotorsports55

Productive day today. Swapped out all rear bushings for energy suspension poly ones. Replaced both hub bearings and seals and installed the broached hubs. Just waiting for axles, and I'll hopefully work on those tomorrow.

jrmotorsports55

Another productive day. Axles converted and installed. Just need to tighten a few things up in the rear and I can move on to the tranny rebuild. Making progress!

jrmotorsports55

Ok, the rear end work is complete. Rebuilt diff has been installed with custom axles. Also installed poly bushings throughout, and installed new wheel bearings with the new hubs. Torqued the hub nuts to 250 lb ft and reinstalled the brakes. Getting closer!

jrmotorsports55

No exciting updates this weekend. Relocated the left front brake line to run down the outside of the frame rail through the wheel well as it was pretty much resting o the header, and I didn't want boiled brake fluid.





Also removed the water pump/cooling system to fix the coolant leak.

Next will be oil pan leak, then tranny rebuild/final install/clutch hydraulics, then exhaust, then it should be on the road.

Getting close!

jrmotorsports55

Not too much to update. Replaced the oil pan gasket last weekend, used sealer on both sides. Fingers crossed I don't have to replace it a 5th time. If it still leaks I'm going with an old school cork setup. I did take sandpaper and scuff the oil pan in the humps as that is where it was leaking and I was thinking maybe it was because of the paint on the pan. We'll see. Measured and ordered aluminum driveshaft from shaftmasters yesterday. Will probably bleed the brakes today and work on the clutch hydraulics. On vaca this week so hoping to knock out quite a bit. We'll see.

jrmotorsports55

Decided to spend my time on the tranny rebuild. Replaced all bearings, blocker rings, and small parts (rebuild kit from Astro performance). Starting to put it together and get all end play addressed. Hope to have that done today. Before installing I will get the clutch slave mounting sorted (going to beef up the mounting bracket), then plumb the hydraulics. Getting closer. Should also get my driveshaft today. Getting really excited!

jrmotorsports55

Productive week. Tranny is rebuilt and reassembled. Got my driveshaft and have it ready for install. Next on my list is to reinforce the slave mounting bracket (going to weld in fillets on each end and center to minimize flexing). Then install and bleed the clutch hydraulics. Next will be trans/DS install, then on to the exhaust. Getting really close! One thing I forgot to mention previously has to do with the rear axle nuts. There is roughly 1/2" - 5/8" of unused thread and I have the axles torques to 250. I found a thread where this seems to be common with replacement axles and has to do with the type of nut used. I posted there and am hoping someone has found a solution.

jrmotorsports55

Not too much to update. I welded gussets in to the slave mounting bracket to stiffen it up. Mounted the clutch master to the firewall. Also got the water pump reinstalled and re-torqued it at least a dozen times. Better not leak this time!

jrmotorsports55

Quick update: Bolted in the gusseted slave bracket and bolted the tranny to the bellhousing. Need to cut the shifter hole next, then finish the tranny install and add the driveshaft. Tied up the next few weekends, so I probably won't touch it for a few weeks.

jrmotorsports55

Not much to report. Got the new Cardone 60-20223 axles. Swapped the pass side one, and now the threads are flush with the end of the retaining nut. MUCH BETTER! Torqued it to 250. Still need to do the drivers side.

jrmotorsports55

Quick update, got the driver side axle swapped. Rear tires are mounted as well. Now back to finishing the tranny/shifter/clutch hydraulics install.

jrmotorsports55

Had a few hours to work on it yesterday. Shifter hole cut, shifted installed, tranny mounted in place, driveshaft installed, and tranny filled with fluid. I created a aluminum plate to cover the old shifter hole, not sure what I want to do as far as sealing the hole goes, if anything. Next up is the clutch hydraulics.

jrmotorsports55

Weekend update, finished up the shifter cover and reinstalled the tombstone and console. Also relocated my cig lighter to the blank plate on the pass side of the dash and installed a starter button in the old hole. Not much else done, slowly marking off items on the list.