Hi guys will the 9 inch rearend out of a 1970 ford fairlane 500 2door fit in me 73 maverick 2door and if so what modifications if any need to be done to make it fit? thanks
Pretty sure that it is too wide. You would have to narrow it. I have heard that you can use the axle tubes off an 8" mav rear and put them on a 9" pumpkin and then it would bolt up. Can across the same problem with a '72 torino rear so I picked up a fox bodies 8.8". All I need to do is weld on spring perches.
I would do what Boss hinted at... Cut the tubes off the 9" housing and weld your 8" tubes on... Assuming it is a 5 lug Mav 8". That way you just go back with your Maverick axles, which are same as 28 spline 9", and all your widths and mount points are just carried over with your tubes. Easy 9" rear. Same way Ford and Shelby did it 65-66. Dave
I have been toying with the same idea since I just pulled a 9 out of a torino wagon. How strong is it? I mean do you have to sleeve it or do the 8s fit inside the 9s tubes? My other problem is it is a 31 spline 9 inch and the 8s are only 28s. So what is the going rate to have a 9s tubes and axles cut down to size? I mean it is not a problem on the Mav, but I intend on putting a big block in the Comet and I assume the 8 can take it for awhile but it is going to give eventually. rk
Yeah, you gotta either use a 28 spline diff or get 31 spline axles made to Maverick length. The going rate here to make a 9" housing, by pretty much any method, is 250 bux. That is labor only. When you say "the 8" will give eventually", do you mean "it will give next week"? Cuz that is about how long it will last behind a BBF. I have blown up three 8" rears behind mild 302s. I had an 8" behind a stock 460 once... it lasted a week. Dave
You may want to check on the axles you have!!!!! The 31 spline factory axles are hard to find and worth big cahonies to the Torino, Ranchero, Falcon, etc. group. You'll have to measure them, check what all they fit, put them on ebay! I'm thinking at least $300-400 for them! Great start on your project with the right stuff!
Dave, what part of the rearends failed? What do you consider "mild", in terms of horsepower and torque?
Dave, Thought it might last longer than a week, but, yeah I know would twist up from the torque. A friend of mine had an 8 behind a 302 in a 65 coupe pushing about 425 to the rear wheels backed-up by a toploader 4 speed, not only did the 8 get loose, he twisted the drive shaft as well. There are plenty of TUFF 302s out there to tear up 8s and everything else that it why I was asking how tough is a 9 inch center with 8 inch tubes and axles. I think going with a narrowed 9 and its axles would be better than welding on 8 inch tubes. Though I have been wrong about many things, just ask my wife, I could be wrong here as well. Thanks again for all the info, from you and the rest of the forum as well. rk
