Musckletang

Ok, I did the 7.5 to 8.8 swap last weekend. I ordered it from Newtakeoff. Anyway, the flange is supposed to be a correct cobra swap out. It is flat faced and looks like the 7.5 flange. My drive shaft was supper snug between the 7.5 and the auto tranny.

After putting in the new rear-end:
Now there is a 1/2" gap at least between the flange and the DR yoke before bolting it back together. Is this OK???

Do I have the wrong flange? Will the original split drive-shaft move back as I tighten the bolts? Is this OK? How can I tell.

Any advise is greatly appreciated.

tx_zstang

NO PROBLEM!!! I had a similar thing happen when I did some rear end work one time and I didnt know any better: the damn driveshaft was about 1/2" too short when putting it back together!!!

The driveshaft slides in and out, so it's length expands and contracts. Just push it in as needed to clear parts, and pull it back out to fit it up against the flange.

Now if it's already extended as far as it will go and with 2 opposite bolts connecting it to the new flange, it still wont pull up and seat, well, then you might have a problem. But also make sure it fits over the center round part sticking out of the flange, the driveshaft end can hang on that too if not properly positioned.


(Did the 8.8 come with the flange on it already or did you put it on? It needs to be torqued to the proper preload specs in INCH pounds).

Musckletang

Fshewww! A sigh of relief. Thanks TX. I ordered it with the cobra flange. It is set back just a little. Hopefully, after I put my duals on the bolts will pull it back into position. I found it's easier to move the midpipes in and out with the DR out of the way.

tx_zstang

LOL, I had to do the same thing when putting in mid pipes: remove the driveshaft! That's what you have to do if you can't get the car high enough without a lift .

Another thought that may help draw it together closer, with the rear raised up, lift the vehicle by under the axle and not the frame; that will push the rear end up more closer to the car and make the driveshaft length easier to work with. Actually that's how I solved my initial 'oh **** the driveshat is too short' issue, before I knew better: raised up the rear end and then attached the driveshaft back to it.

Now w/o that 7.5, you'l be able to hammer it and not worry about breaking the rear, plus the 373s are just right for our vortechs, IMO!!!

Musckletang

I put the duals on last night . I'm really excited. Oh and the DR does slide into position. Hopefully whatever bolt holes I chose won't make vibrations. In the next couple weeks the Vortech goes on....OOOoooOoOooO Yahhhhhhh!
Thanks again TX.

157dB

http://bradbarnett.net/mustangs/time...nersManual.pdf

http://iihs.net/fsm/?dir=94&viewfile=Axle Housing.pdf

Not quite sure what a 'cobra flange' is.
It should have come with a V6 pinion flange installed.

tx_zstang

the 'cobra flange' is the rear end pinion flange that is needed for V6 driveshafts; it's the same pinion flange used on some earlier cobra mustangs (2003 I think).
The S197 GT and V6 driveshafts have different ends, and the 'cobra' flange works fine for us V6'ers when upgrading to a 8.8 rear.