9in rear end question Please???

Hi again guys and gals....I am going to have pics asap....but right now I have a question for everybody. I currently have a 70 cougar in the garage that I am selling locally, and I think it has sold. well that cougar has a 9 in rear in it, and I wanted it for my 1969 1/2 maverick....but the people that are buying the cougar offered to swap me a 70 mustang 9 in rear instead, so that they can keep the cougar rolling.....I am looking for some info as to whether or not either 1 of those rears will bolt right in, and which one is a better bet for me? Thank you all so much in advance.


PS....I went to Mustangs unlimited yesterday and bought 90% of the stuff I need to put my motor together...but more on that in another post...thanks again


Diana
1969 1/2 Maverick, Work in Progress

 

I dont know about the Cougar but the Mustang is a bolt in unit. It is about 1" wider on each side but you can buy bigger offset wheels to make the difference. I would suspect the Cougar is the same size. Unless you planning on running over 400 hp, you really dont need a 9". However, they are very hard to find so I'd grab it even if you dont use it.

 

Rear

I know I probly wont need it.....but just to say I have it...heh! About how much would it cost for me to have the 8in rear built with different ratios, and posi, and convert to 5 lug? Cuz I am going with a front disc brake set up off of a granada that came with the car (5 lug).....I need to have either rear redone, but which one would be less expensive? Thanks you are quick with the reply's...


Diana

 

First thing we need to find out is which 4-lug rearend you have. If you look under the car from the rear, is there an inspection cover you can unbolt from the rear of the rearend? If so, you won't be able to do anything with that one. You really and truly need to find a complete 5-lug rearend, whether it be 8 or 9 inch.

 

unless it has been changed. i believe the 69 1/2 came with a 7 1/2" rear. if you can get a 9" i'd go for it. check on ebay for gears and stuff. 3.80 gears new from summit are $180. detroit locker is $430. currie also carries about 4 different kinds of locker rears. sometimes you can find a complete assembly at a swap meet or on ebay and then just change out the center section.

 

we just got home, and we looked at the rear and it does have the inspection cover, but he says it is a real small rear end...you are probably right about the 7 and 1/2 in rear.....I guess I will definitly take the mustang rear off the guy that is buying the cougar. that should bolt right in as far as the perches are concened.....?? something tells me I am going to have alot of money into this car.....but that fine, because I think this might be becoming an addiction....:bananaman I think I am going to keep this car for awhile....

On another note, I went and bought a bunch of stuff for the motor yesterday....here is a list so far of what I ahve to put the motor in it...I know I still have some more to go, but I think I will be making an order with summit tonight.
This is for the 92 mustang roller motor that we are converting to carburated

-Performer RPM Intake..(i am not going too crazy with the motor)
-Front sump oil pan and dipstick
-valve covers
-13 in air cleaner
-E303 roller cam
-Valve spring kit
-Timing cover
-msd 6al ignition it
-msd distributor
-some brackets and misc stuff

Any opinions?
I dont know I think this is going to work out good for me, I have to find a world class t5 still though...I have access to a possibly free world class with a bad 3rd gear syncro...I dont know whether or not it is worth getting fixed, and built up, or if I should just find a low milage 1 somewhere....

Sorry to get off topic....I just love to talk about this car ...I cant wait...we are going to start building the motor next week sometime....

Diana

 

diana, remember there's nothing that says you have to do it all at once. just use the rear as a stock unit until you need it beefed up. where is vernon? i used to spend summers in new caanan and darien when i was growing up. i lived in nj then.

 

I have no patience....I would do it all overnight if I could.... I am only doing the motor and tranny this summer, and the body, and rear, and so on will be done over the winter....I almost cant wait for winter, so I can see my new toy all freshly painted...

did I mention the boyfriend does auto restoration for a living....I've got my own built in body man and mechanic....but I love him for who he is....hehe sure....lol :bananaman no really....haha

Vernon is in the tolland county area....east of hartford....boring old connecticut

Diana

 

Well, that 6 cyl rear end is definitely not going to hold up to a v8 very long. Your biggest objective while building this car is to have 5-lug wheels so you might as well trash the complete rear end...or find someone who needs it if you can. You can't convert it over to 5-lug. You can go with the 9" rear if you want but from what I'm reading it will be overkill. One of my 71 Grabbers has been running 4:11 gears in an 8" rear end for over 25 years and never a minutes problem. My engine build up is a little stronger than what you are talking about. I would save the 9" for later and find a good 8"...very easy to find and usually pretty cheap. You can get gears for them also and build them up just as easy as the 9". The guys with the BIG h/p engines go with the 9"

Good luck and I look forward to seeing pics of your car.

 

that's okay, my wife is a retired electrician on nuclear submarines. she does all the electrical work on my cars.

 

I know I wont need it now, but I am selling this guy the cougar that we have in the garage for the price that we paid for it, and I am getting a 9 in rear out of the car....doesnt it make more sense just to build the 9 in and never have to worry about it again....they are hard to come by. Other than it being overkill, is there any other downside to doing it now...$$ or otherwise....

Thanks for all the info..

Diana

 

Absolutely not, if you want to go for it then go right ahead. Just be aware of the width. It's like Mavaholic said, you may have to buy a different offset wheel to tuck it back under the car.

 

You will be able to build that 9" cheaper than an 8" if you shop around.
Not to mention that you do not even have an 8" core to build.
8" stuff is weaker yet costs the same or more than 9" stuff. Usually more because the 9" rear has been top dog since 1957, so the parts are widely available. Supply high, prices low.
I read Ray's post about having a long time 8" rear, I do respect his opinion, but I have been through three 8"ers myself with a mild 302... Therefore he has been lucky, or I have been unlucky...
Bolt in that 9" and be done with it. Use rims with a backspace 1" more than you would have. 3.5" BS is stock for 5 lugs.
FYI: The Cougar has a wider rear than a 67-70 Stang if memory serves... so you came out on top of your deal. Congrats.

Put new bearings throughout, gaskets, seals, and a gear you like. Have it set up by a pro and have the limited slip rebuilt if it has one. If no T-lok is in the rear, get one.
Don't bother with an expensive carrier if you don't plan on 500 rwhp. A Daytona pinion support wouldn't hurt though. The point is that the stock, run of the mill stuff, is very strong.

If it doesn't come with brakes, or they are shot, you have 3 good options:
Get 70 Stang brakes
Get 60s T-bird brakes (they are huge and a popular upgrade in Stang circles, you can get them from some Stang parts vendors)
Get late 90s Exploder rear discs (some very slight modding is required, but they are nearly plug and play. They are also the lightest weight setup around)
FYI#2: The 9" rear only weighs 10lbs more fully dressed than an 8" rear. Same-same as an 8.8".
Good luck
Dave

 

Thanks for all the great info...I think I will be doing the 9in rear.....you guys/gals are great....Thanks again



Diana

 

Diana,
I live close by you in RI. My son has a 69 1/2, I have a 70 and my wife has a 77. I know of a few salvage yards in the area that still have some Mavericks. If you are looking for any parts I can give you directions and a general idea of what they have. I haven't been out to any this year but will be checking all of them in the next few weeks.
Fred