8 1/4 vs. 8 3/4

WA71swinger said

J par. I was just wondering if you had put the 8 1/4 to any abuse at the track. Is it holding up? Finally got motor/tranny in my car. Got it wired. Need some small stuff done (driveline/loop/shocks, sub frame connectors, etc.. Master cylinder now leaking). Been 100+ degrees everyday for a month, doesn't look like it will cool down until well after July. Been running other car, hoping it will cool down before finishing this one. I still plan on running the 8 1/4. 3:55 suregrip. Have a dana standing by (needs fabbed/set up for a body). To hear yours is holding up would sure give a little piece of mind.

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Well the eight and three quarter held up until I got it sold. I had quite a few "danger rides" around the neighborhood and over a dozen hard passes at the drag strip. I put the rear end on Craigslist letting people know I was keeping the brakes and the backing plate and the drums and all that for my 8 3/4 - 410 spool that I built and my phone was literally ringing off the hook for that 355 track lock.
So in conclusion I would say you're fine to get started, but work on that 8 3/4 or Dana 60 or whatever you're going to go with as quick as you can while you still got resale value in the eight and a quarter. It wouldn't hurt to service the old rear end before you put more strain on it with the new motor. You know just changing a couple quarts of oil.