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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Ford 8.8' rear axle

So have any of you folks out there done a Ford 8.8" rear yet or am I once again going to do things defferently than everyone else?? I go to pick up a 8.8" out of a T-bird Tmoorrow night. 3.55 gears (I will be going 3.08 or 3.27) Posi, disk brakes, 4 bolt pattern (wrong diam, but least is 4 lug)

I am just wondering what thing have been run into with regards to modifications and fitting.. THANKS!

Larry Embrey

Your right about it at least being a four lug, makes re-drilling much easier. Is the rotor solid or is it vented? You may be better off using a wheel adapter if it's vented, this might require additional shortening.

I would make a few passes with the 3.55s before changing them out for a higher ratio.
George B.

I just brought home my new Ford T'Bird 8.8" rear. I had new tubes made using the older style bearing ends, re-drilled for MG bolt pattern and drum brakes from an 8" rear. I have the disc brakes which will be used on a different rear in the future.
I switched to 3.08 gears (but kept the 3.55s) because I want the highway cruising rpm. I have 3.25 gears at the moment on the 9" rear that is coming out. They were OK butI like the 3.07 diff I have in another V8.
Martyn Harvey

I'm curious - how is the wheel pattern changed? Does it require removal of the axle and machining with an index head, or is there a simpler way?
Phil

I don't know a simpler way.
Martyn Harvey

I am not sure about the re-setting of the pattern, but with the guys at work it should be a breeze. I have not seen my rear end yet, but it is out of a Tbird with 3.55's, posi, and disk brakes.

I will be switching to the 3.27 or 3.08 definitely. A stock stang has 3.08s with the same tranny I have and they use larger tires as well.. I have found that it is our limited tire size that affects our gearing so much. I have the excel gearing spreadsheet that is on my website, it lets me kick out gearing charts with RPM/MPH so I can compare to the stock mustang.. It actually shows me being in the 2.73 gear range to match the best..


One question though, when you guys with RB cars install new leaf perches, do you make sure that the springs are at the same distance from the center of the axle shafts as the stock unit, or do you maybe take advantage of the situation and build in the 1" drop to reach CB hieght?? I am torn in that regard, building in the drop would strengthen and simplify things, but then you are stuck with a lowers car unless you rework the rear end..
Larry Embrey

What year T'bird rear end is bestfor this change-over? Had anyone looked at the possibility of using the independent setup from the newer Thunderbird?
Phil

That would be the 80 - 88 Thunderbird with the 4 x 4.25 bolt pattern. I just picked up a set of alloys that are 14's with a 4x4.25 bolt pattern, just couldn't pass them up. The salvage yard had a lot of Ford 8 inch rears. I may go back and check for the T-birds of that vintage. I just can't resist this salvage yard. I look at the Hudson's and Studebaker's and .... well, you get the picture, I feel like the kid that wants to rescue every stray animal. I would hate to see some of that iron crushed!
Mike Wish

Larry,

Are you getting this rear from a jy, or a person? If you are getting it from a jy, can you see how much for the TurboCoupe computer for me? The 87-88 5 speed TurboCoupes have the best fuel and timing maps.

Thanx!

Galen
G.P. Copes

GP, it is private party, sorry. What motor do you need the ECU from? V6 or V8?

Our local yard had a couple 8", you had to go out in the yard and find them though and then if YOU pull it they wanted $150.. heh I am getting mine already pulled and waiting for $75.
Larry Embrey

Larry
I have the 8.8 with 2.73 in my car. Ford 302, T-5 with .62, tire size is 225 x 50 x 15. At 80 mph my tach is reading 1900 rpm, great gas milage 26+ @ 80 mph
BUT, in any form of play racing, if you have to back off, due to tire spin, the recovery time is too slow.
I would suggest 3.0 or 3.27.
steve

Well, got my 8.8" Got it for free too, is pretty rusted up, sitting outside in weeds for a few years.. but is all there, even the ABS sensors.. HRMMMM... heh

I will probably start right off with the 3.08's and see what happens..

The interesting thing was the set of 8x22x13 race slicks he had there also.. on a set of wide capri wheels with the 4x4.25 bolt pater, even wilder was that the center of those wheels was a carbon copy of a rostyle wheel!! In fact I pulled out a tape measure to make sure they were not heh
Larry Embrey

This thread was discussed between 26/09/2002 and 28/09/2002

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