Ford 8" upgrades

All the stuff under the car, Transmission, Brakes, Suspension & Steering
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SLCK64
Posts: 64
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:48 pm
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Ford 8" upgrades

Post by SLCK64 »

Looking to go with a 3.80 gear in the 8".

What are you guys running for limited slips/bearings and such? Will be running a Top-loader wide ratio trans and a 302 or a massaged 260, depends on what I hear back about the rules.

I plan to run this at the Uncle Sam's Pie Eating Contest at Byron Dragway next June. It is put on by the Meltdown Drags guys and will feature cars of pre-66 years running by 1966 NHRA rule book on pie-crust slicks only. No burn outs or dry hops, just pull up to the tree, wait for it to drop and go. Even more traditional/vintage than what the Meltdown Drags are I gathered from what they were saying this weekend.
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Lip Ripper
Posts: 1870
Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2012 6:47 am
Location: Lake Placid, Florida

Re: Ford 8" upgrades

Post by Lip Ripper »

Can you run a spool?
66 Cyclone GT; 245/60R15's on 15x8's and 215/70R15's on 15x7 Magnum's.
There's nothing like the sound of a pushrod V8 singing at the top of her lung's.

comethead
Posts: 5692
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2003 7:44 pm
Location: Palmdale, CA

Re: Ford 8" upgrades

Post by comethead »

I used a Eaton Detroit Tru-Trac and 3.80 gears for my 64 Falcon track car.
Haven't run it yet though.

Joe
1965 Caliente HT- 289/4 speed
1964 Falcon HT- track car- 302/4 speed
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SLCK64
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Re: Ford 8" upgrades

Post by SLCK64 »

Lip Ripper wrote:Can you run a spool?
According to the '66 NHRA rule book in the "Stock" classes "Ratchet type(limited slip) type rear ends are accepted. Quick change or locked-spider differential rear ends are not permitted."

Plus I will be driving this on the street from time to time so I dont want to lock the rear end.
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popscomet
Posts: 9688
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 11:19 pm
Location: Jacksonville, Arkansas

Re: Ford 8" upgrades

Post by popscomet »

I have a factory ford 8 LS out of a mustang 2 1976 cobra in my 64 ,,many yrs ago I ran this same chunk in a 64 mustang a couple of seasons with a pr of slicks,,a 8in will out live most peoples's thoughts...imo
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Rocket989
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Re: Ford 8" upgrades

Post by Rocket989 »

IMO the TruTrac is the best compromise street/ strip diff going...not cheap though!!! :D :D :shock: :mrgreen:
'cause Johno says you gotta have a sig pic! :)
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SLCK64
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Re: Ford 8" upgrades

Post by SLCK64 »

Thanks for the replies so far!

Another thing I just remembered, I have an early 8", so has the weaker case. Since this will see strip use, I would hate for the case to crack while Im having fun.

I have seen these on Ebay for a few years, and really for the money, I dont think I can go wrong.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/8-INCH-FORD-THIRD ... Ciid%253A2


All good reviews and I can get 3.80s installed, have him do a billet yolk(for $75 extra), and I think that will be a nice bullet proof setup for my 300hp 302. He can even do a tru-trac for $225 extra if I want. Heck I could get some $$ off if I can find an extra rib case at a swap meet and send it back.


Anyone know of anyone who has used this ebay seller before? Or know TJ?
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SLCK64
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Re: Ford 8" upgrades

Post by SLCK64 »

Well just googled the phone number and seems TJ is the real deal!


http://www.ford8and9inchrears.com
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Rocket989
Posts: 1678
Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 2:53 pm
Location: Kansas City Metro

Re: Ford 8" upgrades

Post by Rocket989 »

I bought an 8" setup from him for a 'Stang about 6-years ago. Definitely knows his stuff and the chunk was very nice. Lot of coin to throw at an 8" though...especially with any upgrades. I'd take the base deal and roll!! Meat for pinion support is the most common POF and none of that stuff is gonna help that. :D

I think it'll be fine! If I hadn't of had 9" noggin-crazy going on I could have saved a big PITA (or two) moving forward!
'cause Johno says you gotta have a sig pic! :)
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comethead
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Re: Ford 8" upgrades

Post by comethead »

I believe there's a thread on TFFN where a dude did everything under the sun to try to beef up his 8 for drag racing.
I think he tore the pinion out of it once or twice...I forget the outcome.
1965 Caliente HT- 289/4 speed
1964 Falcon HT- track car- 302/4 speed
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SLCK64
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Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:48 pm
Location: IL
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Re: Ford 8" upgrades

Post by SLCK64 »

Well the plus side to the drag racing I am going to be doing is with pie crust slicks. No smokey burn out and such to get them real sticky. In the 60s they just rolled up to the line and went. So the forces wont be as crazy as if I went with some M/T ET slicks say.

I am gonna email that place and see what he thinks. I suppose if I am gonna spend the money spend a bit more and get a whole 9" with some decent axles too.

Ill let you know what I find out.
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popscomet
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Location: Jacksonville, Arkansas

Re: Ford 8" upgrades

Post by popscomet »

I have a complete 9in for my comet,have had it for yrs,,it ain't worth the work to change it out..I ain't never hurt the 8in yet.............. :shock: :wink: :!:
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pop/glenda

Rocket989
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Re: Ford 8" upgrades

Post by Rocket989 »

^this...what Pop said. Do the 9 if you hurt the 8!
'cause Johno says you gotta have a sig pic! :)
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popscomet
Posts: 9688
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Location: Jacksonville, Arkansas

Re: Ford 8" upgrades

Post by popscomet »

Rocket989 wrote:^this...what Pop said. Do the 9 if you hurt the 8!
:wink: OL POP,always has a back up plan in the works....comes from many yrs of messing with these old fords...like I've always said...a man can tear up an ANVIL if he tries hard e'nuff :shock: :wink:
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pop/glenda

Fast_Daytona
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Sep 20, 2015 12:51 pm

Re: Ford 8" upgrades

Post by Fast_Daytona »

I kind of hate to say it, but the best mod for the Ford 8" is an 8.8" LOL. The axles out of a '95-'03 Explorer are the same width and bolt pattern as the Comet's 8". They also have disc brakes and come in your choice of 3.08, 3.27, 3.31, 3.55, 3.73 or 4.10 and limited slip or open. I'd also recommend a 31 spline axle over a 28 spline as they're supposed to be about 34% stronger.
Cheers!
David I
| '67 Comet Voyager, '65 Mustang Coupe, FFR Type 65 (shelby Daytona rep.) |

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