Ford 9" Gear Swap Issue

[Bill Griff]

I have had to change the gears in my Ford 9 to accommodate my cam/engine setup. I purchased a 4.11 ring and pinion set from Summit along with the installation kit. After all the installation I get to the point of setting the backlash and found that the corner of the ring gear interferes with the material surrounding the pinion support bearing. I have found a few sites that suggest grinding down the material around the support bearing. Another site suggest grinding down the corners of the ring gear teeth. Do you guys have any suggestions?

 

[RPM]

I have done it both ways in the past with no issues.

 

[meangreen]

I have done both ways before, too. I prefer to grind the housing/carrier, but if you already have it assembled, I would do whichever is easier to get to.

 

[Bill Griff]

Just to make sure..... I looked up the tag on the rear and found that it was originally equipped with a 8.8 ring gear. I can still swap this to a 9" ring gear on the same carrier?

 

[railroad]

Bill, you need someone to help you identify your rear axle. If you will post a picture, it can be done here.
You thought you had a 9", then 8.8, which is probably an 8" The 8.8" does not have a removeable ring and pinion carrier. I cannot imagine any of the gears interchangining, even to the point of getting them to bolt up.
If you got the ordered 9" gears to bolt up, you probably have a 9" and someone has mis-informed you on what you have. Good luck, post some follow-up so we can get you rolling.

 

[Bill Griff]

It's a 9 inch for sure!!! The original ring gear was however not 9, but 8.75. The tag id shows that it was out of a 65-66 Merc.

 

[Bill Griff]

 

[Screaming Metal]

Grind a little off the housing, then a little off the gear, too. That way a whole lot doesn't come off either one. But a little off of both....Be damn sure to wash out the housing good to get all that crap out. Also, after you use your 4 1/2" grinder with a flap wheel on that gear, get a small hone and put a small radius on that sharp edge on the corner of the teeth. Then wash thoroughly.....

 

[Bill Griff]

Thanks everyone. I ground a little off of the housing and there are no longer any interference issues. Actually didn't even have to take to much off. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't running into anything out of the ordinary.

 

[railroad]

Bill, are you familar with setting up the preload on your bearings, backlash and tooth pattern?