Question about 8.8 Rear

John Ladue · #1 (**permalink**) 12-15-2009, 05:11 PM

Reading a number of the posts I know I'm in the right place for some help. I have a CRII purchased from them 12/92. The chassis is definitely a CRII yet the body doesn't have the door cut outs in the cowl area. I'll post a pic. shortly.

I need assitance now with the rear end. Purchased a 8.8 from a 1988 T-bird Turbo Coupe, disc brakes 4 lug that I bought 5 lug axles for. Question is the 2 3/16" offset of the pinion. Also realized the width is slightly wider than a 1986 - 93 mustang.

Do other Ford Mustang 8.8's have the pinioned centered to the housing. The brackets on the chassis are centered not allowing for any offset.

Thanx for any help possible.

John

tcrist · #2 (**permalink**) 12-15-2009, 05:44 PM

John,
Are you sure that it is a Classic Roadster not a Classic Motor Carriage?
Post some pic's and I am sure that we can help you out.

As far as the Pinion offset, my CR LTD is darn close to centered between my brake rotors.

LMH · #3 (**permalink**) 12-15-2009, 05:55 PM

As far as I know, all 8.8's are the same as far pinion location on the differential.
Not sure about all the different 8.8's and if each car has the pinion centered in the car but as far as I know, it's in the same location on the differential.
I have an aluminum IRS 8.8 31 spline diff from a 2004 SVT Cobra Mustang and it looks the same as my brothers 8.8 solid axle from a standard Mustang.
Larry

onefastmustang · #4 (**permalink**) 12-15-2009, 06:45 PM

My pinion is offset to the passengers side. When I asked Don about it he said it was normal..

I think I have a picture that I sent Don to demonstrate the issue. Ill look for it.

John Ladue · #5 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 08:22 PM

I took some measurements of the chassis and the brackets for the rear are positioned central to the transmission tunnel. I have the CRII Manual printed 9-1-90 specifying a 1986 and new Mustang 8.8 rear be used. Guess I'll have to confirm the pinion is central to the ring gear and brackets on similar year Mustang.

Do have the documentation for the car purchased originally and the chassis is definitely a Classic Roadster, Fargo ND. Body not so sure yet matches exactly.

Thanx for the replies.

John Ladue · #6 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 08:31 PM

Oops I'll try to post another pic of the chassis.

tcrist · #7 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 08:39 PM

That sure looks like a CR frame but the body does not lokk like one. Do you have any kind of MSO?

Double Venom · #8 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009, 05:33 AM

Is the back firewall straight all the way from the floor the the crown of the rear deck?
Looks like it is in the picture-if so then this isn't a CR body? The rear wall will go straight up behind the seats then immediately goes straight back, forming a rear shelf behind the seats.

Rear end is correct- the pinion is definitely off set to the right.
DV

Jerry Clayton · #9 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009, 09:18 AM

The thunderbirds of those years had engine offset to the right side and also the pinion

Woodz428 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009, 12:04 PM

ALL the Fox chassis cars( that would include the Bird,Cougar and several other Ford models) had the pinion offset to the passenger side. According to Ford at the time of introduction, it allowed more room on the driver's side for steering,etc. It is not critical a pinion be centered, although the pinion angle needs to be very close to that of the tranny output(no more than about 7* variation). I don't recall without some checking, but I think it also allows a single axle length as opposed to 2 on an 8 or 9".

John Ladue · #11 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009, 06:06 PM

Double Venom you are exactly right with the area behind the seats it does drop straight down. No shelf or storage area. I do have the MSO from Classic Roadsters from 1991. Paper work indicates two cars were originally purchased by a gentlemen in Florida from Classic Roadster. Somehow one made it's way to Maine and never assembled. I purchased it there 3 years ago and have been collecting parts ever since. While the dash and area behind the seats definitely are not CR II the hood, trunk and doors appear to be so. Wheel base appears to be 94".

As all the supporting inner body pieces are missing my plan is to follow FFR with a frame work and aluminum panels to attach the car. I have a 302 take out motor from and Explorer, T5.

Questions goes back to the rear and pinion offset. The chassis has the mounting bracket central to the drive shaft tunnel. The manual specifices Mustang 8.8 rear, 1986 and new rear to be used. Is the pinion centered in the rear to make this work.

Again thanx to all of you responding... Much appreciated. While I know I have a project on my hands reading the helpful posts

will get me there!