just bought an 8.8 rear end for 100.00 with 327 gears. anybody no were i need to start by installing. i could just trial and error but im tired of that.
start by doing some reading from the chassis mfg's. alot of good info on the websites. art morrison,alston,chassisworks,sw,..many more out there. your plans for the car may dictate the direction you choose in installing the 4 link as well.
WHOAH guys! Wait a minute. The original poster was asking for tips and pointers as to HOW to install the 4 link....instant center, AS, and all that other geometrical jargon is not what we're concerned with here. At least not right now. That information will be useful later on AFTER it's installed. What kind of 4 link are you looking at? A typical drag car style 4 link or a 4-bar (like on street rods) or a stock-type triangulated 4 link? What are you going to be doing with the car? Drag only, street or street strip? Or maybe even a circle track car?
to be honest no really sure street only probably. the rear end i bought is set up for a four link so my though was changing my 72 comet from leafs to the four link any thoughts????????l
Thoughts? Yes. Changing to a 4 link on a street car is a pain. You'll need new brackets welded to the frames, to the floorboard, gussets on the floorboard upper mounts (this is on a triangulated 4 link), or you can go with a drag-style 4 link and just remove EVERYTHING in between the quarter panels (frames and all) and install a fully welded subframe. Either way you go you're looking at a lot of work. I've been there..... If it were mine, I'd cut all of the 4 link brackets off of the 8.8 rear, then set the rear under the car and weld on a pair of leaf spring pads to the rear end. This could easily be done in a day's time and it would be cheap. All that is assuming that the 8.8 is the correct width. I've never swapped in an 8.8 (only an 8" and a 9") so I can't help much in that area, but I'm sure there are a few on this board who have used 8.8 rear ends.
Ditto, keep the leafs, 4 links are a pita to setup if you don't have some experience, doubly so for non adjustable factory 4 link styles.
Heidt's offers a bolt-in rear 4-link kit for 64-70 Mustangs. Maybe it might be a starting point to build your own or you could ask them if they could make one for a Maverick. In the November 2007 issue of Mustangs & Fords they did a write up on this exact kit. After reading the write up it made me wonder if it could be adapted to a Maverick. http://www.heidts.com/heip32-2.htm
You better measure the flange to flange distance, then measure the Comet rear. Bet you find a big difference. Then what is you next step? It could mean different wheel offsets and fender clearence issues. I would be inclined to consider a 4 link install using the original rear. It's no more work in the end. Still have to weld, move mounts and fab new ones.
you are right the 8.8 is longer by 3 inches. but my plan was cutting the rear end down so i could many tub it. i would like to run 10 or 11 inch rear wheels. not so much for drag racing but looks. also im running an 8 inch with 2.79 gears and the new one is limited slip with 3.27 gears. im running an oad trans so i think the gear may be ok.
If your going to do that, you need a tub kit and a pile of work to get it all in and not just a 4 link hookup. Old Guy can tell you just what you need to do. Unless you are really going to need this radical setup, it's a waist of money and time just for looks. Sort of 'ricer like' without anything to make use it!
I have to agree with Bluegrass.. Doesn't seem worth while if you aren't going to make any power to back it up.
