I will do the gears this summer. Will also add subframes - cheap and easy mod. I've been thinking about the disk brakes also and currently researching brake options. I may have to scale back my 350/350 goal just to keep in budget. Current engine runs strong - good pressure, vaccuum, no knocks, plus fixed all oil leaks. Was kind of hoping I could just bolt on a few more parts (heads, cam, new intake). and still have the reliability. Thanks for all the advice.

 

What do you guys think? Worth the xtra bucks over just upgrading gears?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=230143692178

 

I posted this same link about a month ago and everyone seemed to poo-poo this deal. The common comment is you get what you pay for, if you want 9 inch strength, you need to upgrade to a 9 inch, which costs about 3 times as much as this 8 inch diff you posted here cuz you need a whole new housing, axles, brakes, etc..

The downside of this 8 inch is that yes, it may be a stronger third member than your stock 8 inch. But, the yoke, U Joint, axles etc are still the same. The Yokes are known to be weaker on an 8 inch, but that's all relative.. for a 300-350HP motor, I think you're fine even with a stock 8 inch, and this one you posted is upside from there, plus its posi. I need a 9 inch cuz my HP is 100 more than what you're looking to do.

about you thoughts on going crate: Take out your original 302 and preserve it and drop in a crate with 300-350HP. For what it sounds like you're looking for, I'm sure the 345HP Ford Racing motor would be fine...my mechanic has installed that exact motor into several Fords and he says its great. Some of the guys here looking at race power would want something stronger and different, but the downside is $$$$ and the unknown. I would consider that tandlengines.com though, they have a great rep as well.

 

I think the HP for Ford crate is fine for me. Going to tdo that and stick with 8" and put a bid on the posi I posted. Sounds like I should go with subframes and disk up front. Hey it's only money - thanks for the reply and helping think thru this.