What is the stock rearend for a 1973 ford maverick? I am tryin to figure for durability and probably 3.55 or another optimal setup. Any suggestions on the rearend or gear setup?
If you want good suggestions, we'll need to know what you plan to do with the car, and some engine & transmission info. Could be daily driver, weekend cruiser, no highway time, lots of highway time, drag strip car.
Like Dave said, all Mavs/Comets came with an 8" rear. Either 4 lug or 5 lug, and gear ratio of 2.73 or 3.00. I'll say they are good to approximately 400 HP, but won't take that much behind a stick shift with sticky tires at the track. This is a heavily debated topic and people have laid claim to have torn up multiple 8" rears with 300 HP and others have claimed to have relentlessly dumped the clutch behind a torque monster for years with no problems.
I plan to try to place a 351c into the maverick and wish to run about 300-400 hp. This is going to be a long process as funds are low at the moment. I have the engine and want to convert from the automatic transmission to a stick (suggestions would be great as to brands and models of transmissions). This car will range from daily driver to weekend cruiser as I also have a truck that I can use too. I may or may not take it to the track but for now it will only be streetable. From there if I do decide on a 9" rearend, where could I get one?
Full size Ford passenger cars from the 60s and 70s are a good place to find 9s. I got mine from a 70s Galaxy with a big block. Had to take it to a local guy who builds/modifies rear ends to make it fit but totally worth it. It now has a Detroit Locker with 3.70s. I still have 28 spline stock axles though. He welded my Mavs old 8" tubes on to the 9" so it's a dead fit. Will upgrade to 31 spline one day
The splines are on the inner ends of the axles and are how the power is transferred from the differential to the axle (like the teeth on a gear would), the bigger the spline count is, the larger in diameter the axle is at that point. I say "at that point" as there are large diameter 28 spline 9" axles that are smaller on the inner ends and the same size as the 31 spline axles on the outer ends. Stock 28 spline 8" axles are the same diameter all the way. You can buy larger diameter 31 spline 8" axles if you so choose, but you have to change the differential carrier to a 31 spline also to match the axles. As for running the 8" with a Cleveland, the 8" will be fine for a time until you can afford to upgrade to a 9" rear, unless you're going to use it as an all out drag car with sticky tires. It's the sudden application of torque, combined with too much traction that's going to break it, simply driving it on the street with the occasional burnout isn't going to do it in immediately
glad this came up..i didn't know they all came with 8" but i know mines a 9..so it looks like ill be pulling it apart sometime this week to find out what i have..i believe its a limited slip with 3.08's...prob 28spline..
None until something breaks It just represents more power capacity. 31 spline axles usually can take more power because they are thicker and made stronger, have more splines (Like teeth) to distribute the power. You can however buy much improved 28 spline axles if you don't want to change your center section. Many aftermarket manufacturers make better 28s. I am looking into those for my 400+ horse 331. I currently have a 28 spline Detroit 9" because it was almost free and it saved me money because I used my old 8" axles. How much power are you planning to make?
