FE tuning question - heavy pinging under load

[BarnieTrk]

I thought about just changing the center chunk yesterday myself.
Is that just a matter of yanking the axle shafts out and then unbolting the pumpkin and replacing it?

YES SIR....
BarnieTrk

[blackagatha]

I think I used some Form A Gasket putty the last time I put the punkin in. Works great.


I believe the post about the pertronix needing to be "retarded" iss because the trigger point is in a slightly different location within the Dizzy. It's not so much retarding as accommodating a universal fit part.


engine mods are great, but your gearing sounds like it just sucks. I am running a 2.73 with my 390 and C6, not too much trouble at all. But it is definitely not Nearly as torquey as my 3.89 set.

lol, the 3.89 gear set would chirp the tires hitting second, right after I put the engine in.... and she was running like CRAP back then. Between constantly fried points, lousy intake, cork exhaust.....


oh yeah, and the rotten mower gas..... LMAO.... I tried that when I was 14..... it didnt work. It messed things up good. Don't DO THAT!

[Jonas]

Yep, solid floor pan. The logic of why Ford made two floor stampings escapes me.

I thought about just changing the center chunk yesterday myself. Is that just a matter of yanking the axle shafts out and then unbolting the pumpkin and replacing it?

One of the 'helpful' bystanders at the track said I should put a turbo on the FE and that would solve all my problems. He was serious.

It is easy to change the center chunk. But keep in mind when your finding one.

You will more then likely need one that excepts 28 Spine Axles. Pay attention to the yoke, that it matches the U joint on the drive shaft.

IMHO I would go with a 3:50. 3:70 is not that far from a 4:10 or 4:11

You will see a big improvement with the 3:50 but still be able to cruise on the Interstate decent.

[DV65CustomCab]

Any ideas on year cross references that I should look for? I didn't know they made a 3.50 gear.

[BarnieTrk]

DV65CC,
I believe your hunt for a Ford 9" rear housing, with 28-spline side gears should be an easy one as they came under LOTS of 1/2 ton trucks/vans and Broncos from at least '59 through '86. Especially those with 6-cylinder engines.

Talking strictly trucks, if a truck was ordered for Heavy Duty 1/2 ton or later big block applications, the 9" would have likely gotten 31-spline axles, and so the center carrier would have had the 31-spline side gears... and not work with your 28-spline axles. Assuming the rear housing in question to be original to the truck, you could reference the AXLE CODE on the Warranty Data Plate or the number tag directly attached at one of the carrier housing studs to determine if it contained 31-spline axles or what the gear ratio was.

Although they may be different housings, the 9" center carrier section is the same under many cars, such as many '65-73 Mustangs, '75-'80 Granada/Monarchs and '77-'80 Lincoln Versailles. Again depending on how the car was ordered, engine size, etc. will determine if the 9" housing of these cars are also equipped with 31-spline axles or what gear ratio it has.

Just to name a few of the gear ratios available with the 9" housing: 3.00, 3.25, 3.50 3.70, 3.89 and 4.11 gear sets.

It would be tough to carry a list of axle codes for 'a 9" w/a 3.50 gear' because Ford issued different codes between the models and/or model years for the same gear ratio, so you'd need quite a list to cross match models to model years to gear ratios. Best bet on gearing would be the rear housing tag numbers to ensure what it contained and to simply count the axle splines to determine if it was 28-splines or not.

The Ford 9" housing is a popular choice with circle track dudes; so many junkyards that come across one in good shape will pull it, label it and have it on a shelf waiting for you.

Obviously, you'd want to do a thorough inspection of the center carrier section to determine its usability (condition) of the gears, bearings and pinion seal would also need to be determined to be "adequately good" before slipping it into your housing. Also be on the watch for any cracks in the cast-iron center carrier itself.

BarnieTrk

[banjopicker66]

Dwight, the 3.50 came on most mid to late '60s trucks that had V-8s and 3speed transmissions.
Be sure to get 28 splined ones, too, as Jonas said.

[blackagatha]

the 65-67 mustangs, as I understand do Not have a 9 inch.... I believe they were an 8 inch. I dont know about later years.