Ford 8" rear axle for a T

[Blake66]

Greetings Bucket-heads, I have a question for you all. I just acquired a free Ford rear axle that came out of a 64 Falcon. But it's the small ford type. Measuring the axle tubes they measure 2-3/8" where my shock bracket will go and 2-3/4" where I'll put my radius rod brackets. It has drum brakes but no guts what so ever. I'll have to completely buy everything to get the brakes up to snuff.
My bucket will have a 250+ horse Pontiac 326 installed. The question is...Is it worth using in my T project? I'd like to run a set of Mickey Thompson sportsmans for a modern hot rod look but I will have a set of big and littles (BF Goodrich Silvertown white walls) on a set of "gennies" for a retro look too. What are your guys thoughts? I appreciate any feedback.

Thanks
Blake A
Brigham City, Utah.

 

[RPM]

The 8" Ford will work and it will hold up to quite a bit of HP. Having to buy all the center section might be expensive.

 

[Ted Brown]

Like RPM said, buying all the parts cost more than buying a complete used rear end...

 

[VegasBruce]

It will work great. I have an 8" in mine, with a 350 Chevy.

 

[Youngster]

Around here you can still find 8" Maveric's for $100 or so complete drum to drum. If the housings are the same, you could use one for the innerds.

Ron

 

[GT63]

Greetings Bucket-heads, I have a question for you all. I just acquired a free Ford rear axle that came out of a 64 Falcon. But it's the small ford type. Measuring the axle tubes they measure 2-3/8" where my shock bracket will go and 2-3/4" where I'll put my radius rod brackets. It has drum brakes but no guts what so ever. I'll have to completely buy everything to get the brakes up to snuff.
My bucket will have a 250+ horse Pontiac 326 installed. The question is...Is it worth using in my T project? I'd like to run a set of Mickey Thompson sportsmans for a modern hot rod look but I will have a set of big and littles (BF Goodrich Silvertown white walls) on a set of "gennies" for a retro look too. What are your guys thoughts? I appreciate any feedback.

Thanks
Blake A
Brigham City, Utah.

Everything from the drums to the pads and springs are available at NAPA. I just re-built the drum brakes on My 8" Ford and had no problems finding the parts. Third Members can be found on Ebay fairly easily. You can also retro fit disc brakes to it from a Lincoln that also used Ford 8" rearends.

 

[Blake66]

Thanks guys for the info, this makes me feel a little more comfortable about proceeding with it in my build. From your posts though, I get the impression I mislead you into thinking I'm missing the 3rd member. That is not the case. It is all there and feels pretty good. When I drained the fluid I didn't get any metal chunks or stuff. The fluid look normal with no water. And the seals look like they've never leaked.
The stuff that is all gone from the axle is all the drum brake stuff.
NAPA sounds like my first stop to see about getting all the parts. Would the brake rebuild process be the same on this 64 as the later year 8" rears?

 

[RPM]

Thanks guys for the info, this makes me feel a little more comfortable about proceeding with it in my build. From your posts though, I get the impression I mislead you into thinking I'm missing the 3rd member. That is not the case. It is all there and feels pretty good. When I drained the fluid I didn't get any metal chunks or stuff. The fluid look normal with no water. And the seals look like they've never leaked.
The stuff that is all gone from the axle is all the drum brake stuff.
NAPA sounds like my first stop to see about getting all the parts. Would the brake rebuild process be the same on this 64 as the later year 8" rears?

Yep, I thought the gears and center section were missing. Sounds like you got a good rear end at a great price. By the way we have radius rod brackets in all different size tube diameters.

 

[Blake66]

Yep, I thought the gears and center section were missing. Sounds like you got a good rear end at a great price. By the way we have radius rod brackets in all different size tube diameters.

That's good to know Ron...I'm getting my ducks in row so I can get an order put together for you. As soon as the weather gets a little warmer here in Utah, Jerry Cook is going to help me get the rear installed into my bucket.

 

[akitagandy]

what size does a S-10 have in it

 

[Leon renaud]

Thanks guys for the info, this makes me feel a little more comfortable about proceeding with it in my build. From your posts though, I get the impression I mislead you into thinking I'm missing the 3rd member. That is not the case. It is all there and feels pretty good. When I drained the fluid I didn't get any metal chunks or stuff. The fluid look normal with no water. And the seals look like they've never leaked.
The stuff that is all gone from the axle is all the drum brake stuff.
NAPA sounds like my first stop to see about getting all the parts. Would the brake rebuild process be the same on this 64 as the later year 8" rears?

Funny I just priced out these parts tonight for my Maveric 8 inch at my local NAPA
TS151 10 inch shoes $21.84 set
TS 353 9 inch shoes $14.72 set
4401068 9 inch drum $28.49 each
4401099 10 inch drum $41.79 each
this is for 5 lug parts you didn't say if yours is 4 or 5 lug but axles swap right in so it's easy to convert
Leon