I have a 71 maverick with what i believe to be a stock rear axle and suspension. I have installed a 5.0 from a 1994 mustang along with a T5. When the car accelerates from a stop it has a tendency to make a popping noise somewhere near the back of the car. It almost sounds like a locker engaging, but I doubt it has one in an 8''. I read through a few of the threads here, but none of them seemed to have the same problem. The sound only occurs on acceleration, but if you accelerate very lightly it doesnt do it. I was just wondering if anyone out there would have a good idea as to what is causing this. Any ideas? Thanks for the help!
Can you push down on the back of the car and duplicate the noise? If you can have a helper push on the car while you look underneath to find the noise. Sounds like it could be a bad/broken shock or shock mount.
that could be a lot of things. does it do it in all gears? can you feel it when it happens? does turning have any effect on it? does it do it when bouncing on the rear as asked above? what drive shaft was used with the t5 swap? what crossmember was used?
My car only seems to do it on take off from a stop. I have had a friend bounce the back of the car, and it doesnt make the sound. I used the driveshaft that was in the car (it had a 250 at the time, but has had a number of engines). It does make a slight vibration when it does it, but the sound is much more noticible (very audible over the cherry bomb exaust). Im also not sure about if it does it in reverse since I mostly only reverse slowly in parking lots. Also, turning doesnt really seem to change anything.
My question would be, and bear with me as I'm not a Ford guru, but is the trans you installed the same length as the one you removed? Usually when I swap drivetrain parts in my car (trans, rearend) there could be a slight difference in length. IF the trans is longer (and it doesn't take much) you could be putting undue strain on the trans tail shaft or the rear end yoke causing your popping sound, which would be accentuated under harder acceleration.. Just a thought. Disclaimer: I'm a Mopar guy ( I know, I know, yikes) but I also build other cars, and mechanical is mechanical, and I'm learning the ins and outs of the Mercury Comet so I can build it for my wife (AKA Martha).