Busted 8"
Thread Starter
1st Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 106
From: Big Nate
Busted 8"
Well, my disc brake and front end upgrade is now on hold since my rear end (8") suddenly crapped out. Out of the blue it started whining terribly so I took it to a trusted rod shop in town and the said the ring and pinion are finished. I have read many of the rear end strings in the forum and none of them helped me out much, so here is my question. What suppliers have you guys used for basic rear end builds? I'm not looking to go trac-loc or upgrade to a 9" axle, just looking to upgrade to either a 3.25 or 3.55 plain old 8". I am not sure if I should just get the ring/pinion and bearing kit or just get a complete 3rd member. Is there anything else I need to consider other than replacing the 3rd member? Any adivce or opinions would be much appreciated.
Big Nate
Big Nate
5th Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,707
From: San Francisco
RE: Busted 8"
if your gonna spend the money, i dont know why you wouldnt want posi rear end.....
but thats a funny thing....ive been hard pressed to find 8" anything anymore....its like they forgot it was so common back in the day.......everything is for 9" or 8.8"
but thats a funny thing....ive been hard pressed to find 8" anything anymore....its like they forgot it was so common back in the day.......everything is for 9" or 8.8"
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 261
From: GA
RE: Busted 8"
He just wants a stock replacement, nothing special or performance driven.
I would get a good used 3rd member from Currie(the main-case is used, removable components are new), they can send you a complete one if you want.
I would get a good used 3rd member from Currie(the main-case is used, removable components are new), they can send you a complete one if you want.
Thread Starter
1st Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 106
From: Big Nate
RE: Busted 8"
I did consider getting a 9". Since I am running a 289 2v bone stock, I didn't see the need because I am not pumping any serious HP. But I just had an epiphany, if my stock 289 was able to tear this 8" up, why won't it happen again, why not beef up the rear a bit. Since I didn't do anything to the current rear end, maybe one of the previous owners did a hack job building it. As for Trac-Loc, I just don't see a need for it since I don't race and use it as a daily driver, but I do like to jump on it often on the street. It just seems like $500 that would be better spent elsewhere (suspension, disc brakes, fuzzy dice, etc.) I did find a Versailles 9" with discs for $400 around here, but I haven't swapped the front drums out yet. Anyway, thanks for the info, keep it coming if anyone has anymore.
Big Nate
Big Nate
5th Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,707
From: San Francisco
RE: Busted 8"
ORIGINAL: bignatesan
I did consider getting a 9". Since I am running a 289 2v bone stock, I didn't see the need because I am not pumping any serious HP. But I just had an epiphany, if my stock 289 was able to tear this 8" up, why won't it happen again, why not beef up the rear a bit. Since I didn't do anything to the current rear end, maybe one of the previous owners did a hack job building it. As for Trac-Loc, I just don't see a need for it since I don't race and use it as a daily driver, but I do like to jump on it often on the street. It just seems like $500 that would be better spent elsewhere (suspension, disc brakes, fuzzy dice, etc.) I did find a Versailles 9" with discs for $400 around here, but I haven't swapped the front drums out yet. Anyway, thanks for the info, keep it coming if anyone has anymore.
Big Nate
I did consider getting a 9". Since I am running a 289 2v bone stock, I didn't see the need because I am not pumping any serious HP. But I just had an epiphany, if my stock 289 was able to tear this 8" up, why won't it happen again, why not beef up the rear a bit. Since I didn't do anything to the current rear end, maybe one of the previous owners did a hack job building it. As for Trac-Loc, I just don't see a need for it since I don't race and use it as a daily driver, but I do like to jump on it often on the street. It just seems like $500 that would be better spent elsewhere (suspension, disc brakes, fuzzy dice, etc.) I did find a Versailles 9" with discs for $400 around here, but I haven't swapped the front drums out yet. Anyway, thanks for the info, keep it coming if anyone has anymore.
Big Nate
if u found a used versaille rear end for cheaper than a new one cost, get that then....but im just saying...if your going to spend the same amount of money...why NOT get the posi? there is zero benefit to having an open rear end compared to a posi......
5th Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,946
From: Colorado
RE: Busted 8"
You should be able to find a local shop to put new gears in your third member for a good price. They are very easy to work on. As far as burning up the old gears, that is usually due to running the rear end low on lube and overheating it. A properly lubed rear end should last forever.
Thread Starter
1st Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 106
From: Big Nate
RE: Busted 8"
OK, I think I have a good track on fixing my rear end, looking for some opinions still. None of the shops here in Monterey are very reasonable on labor, but they do very good work. They want $400 for labor to rebuild the third member and replace axel bearings/oil seal plus about $400-500 for parts. I found a Ford Trac-Loc third member locally with 2.80 gears for $275 with a 2 year warranty. They guy had a 3.00 and a 3.25 for $325 but they sold in about 5 seconds. Since I have a stock 289 2V, and not looking to beef it up too much, I am leaning toward getting the 2.80 posi. I figure I can get the old 3rd member rebuilt sometime down the road should I want to set up different gears. I am also going to try and swap the 3rd member and freshen up the axles on my own since it doesn't seem too tricky except for pressing on the axle bearings. Anyone's 2 cents would be appreciated.
Thanks
Big Nate
Thanks
Big Nate
5th Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,707
From: San Francisco
RE: Busted 8"
ORIGINAL: bignatesan
OK, I think I have a good track on fixing my rear end, looking for some opinions still. None of the shops here in Monterey are very reasonable on labor, but they do very good work. They want $400 for labor to rebuild the third member and replace axel bearings/oil seal plus about $400-500 for parts. I found a Ford Trac-Loc third member locally with 2.80 gears for $275 with a 2 year warranty. They guy had a 3.00 and a 3.25 for $325 but they sold in about 5 seconds. Since I have a stock 289 2V, and not looking to beef it up too much, I am leaning toward getting the 2.80 posi. I figure I can get the old 3rd member rebuilt sometime down the road should I want to set up different gears. I am also going to try and swap the 3rd member and freshen up the axles on my own since it doesn't seem too tricky except for pressing on the axle bearings. Anyone's 2 cents would be appreciated.
Thanks
Big Nate
OK, I think I have a good track on fixing my rear end, looking for some opinions still. None of the shops here in Monterey are very reasonable on labor, but they do very good work. They want $400 for labor to rebuild the third member and replace axel bearings/oil seal plus about $400-500 for parts. I found a Ford Trac-Loc third member locally with 2.80 gears for $275 with a 2 year warranty. They guy had a 3.00 and a 3.25 for $325 but they sold in about 5 seconds. Since I have a stock 289 2V, and not looking to beef it up too much, I am leaning toward getting the 2.80 posi. I figure I can get the old 3rd member rebuilt sometime down the road should I want to set up different gears. I am also going to try and swap the 3rd member and freshen up the axles on my own since it doesn't seem too tricky except for pressing on the axle bearings. Anyone's 2 cents would be appreciated.
Thanks
Big Nate