Well, my 8 3/4 project started in October 2018 and expand into a 4 link install as well, which was mostly finished at the beginning of November 2019. And with some final adjustment into February 2020
It was a wrongly adventurous project filled with heart break and the highs and low lows we only get modifying a car. Thankfully there was a hero, nope not me, I self-inflicted some of the mess. Our very own Brian and Blackheart Racing aka Cope who did some amazing work, demonstrated a ton of patience with me and the obstacles in the project. I am super happy and excited about it – now that is done. So, here is the write up (work and life delayed) – which I will break up a little bit – starting with the rear end and ending with the 4 link install
In January 2018 I decided I had to have a lot more horsepower in my 66 Barracuda. Through multiple attempts to buy and build a motor (a whole other story of flakes and Asshats) I went with a Blueprint 408 which was ordered in July of 2018. This was followed by a professional built 904 transmission and torque converter also in July. At this stage I started pricing our rear ends, I knew the ford 9 inch was probably the best route to go. But I had problems with that, so I kept looking for an 8 ¾ and pricing out the online options, which would be over $3000
Finally, an 8 ¾ with 489 center section with open 3.23s and axles popped up on Craigslist. And it is for an Abody!! Score! Talked to the guy a couple times. He was responsive and gave pretty good answers – ran out of money for his 66 Dart project. Car is also for sale as well. Etc. etc.
I drove the 3 hours to his house, which had a purple 1966 Dart in the driveway. His house was in a rough area, lots of people shuffling around. As I waited for him for a few minutes it seemed it was people traffic going both directions. Before I could think on this more, he showed up, a literal ball of energy. He was 5’4” and close to 250 pounds jumping all over the place and talking a mile a minute. He would not stop moving or talking, as I was attempting to measure the rear axle he was pacing back and forth. I started to get a little concerned, between this dude and the shuffling people going by his house. And I have a pocket full for money
He wanted to $800 for the rear end, even though I really wanted to get out of there and he knew I drove a great distance. I had to negotiate the price. Which was pretty easy, ended up getting the rear end, new shock mounts, and two rusty sets of 11” drum brakes for $720. I thanked him as we loaded up and I got out of there. At the corner of his street, where I stopped to turn on the main road a person stepped out from a semi hidden area. He took a few steps toward me and quickly realized I was not a customer and returned to his spot.
Happy, relieved and excited to get out of there with what I felt was a good deal on a rear end. Next stop the highly respected rear end shop in my area.
Next phase rebuilding the craigslist rear end
It was a wrongly adventurous project filled with heart break and the highs and low lows we only get modifying a car. Thankfully there was a hero, nope not me, I self-inflicted some of the mess. Our very own Brian and Blackheart Racing aka Cope who did some amazing work, demonstrated a ton of patience with me and the obstacles in the project. I am super happy and excited about it – now that is done. So, here is the write up (work and life delayed) – which I will break up a little bit – starting with the rear end and ending with the 4 link install
In January 2018 I decided I had to have a lot more horsepower in my 66 Barracuda. Through multiple attempts to buy and build a motor (a whole other story of flakes and Asshats) I went with a Blueprint 408 which was ordered in July of 2018. This was followed by a professional built 904 transmission and torque converter also in July. At this stage I started pricing our rear ends, I knew the ford 9 inch was probably the best route to go. But I had problems with that, so I kept looking for an 8 ¾ and pricing out the online options, which would be over $3000
Finally, an 8 ¾ with 489 center section with open 3.23s and axles popped up on Craigslist. And it is for an Abody!! Score! Talked to the guy a couple times. He was responsive and gave pretty good answers – ran out of money for his 66 Dart project. Car is also for sale as well. Etc. etc.
I drove the 3 hours to his house, which had a purple 1966 Dart in the driveway. His house was in a rough area, lots of people shuffling around. As I waited for him for a few minutes it seemed it was people traffic going both directions. Before I could think on this more, he showed up, a literal ball of energy. He was 5’4” and close to 250 pounds jumping all over the place and talking a mile a minute. He would not stop moving or talking, as I was attempting to measure the rear axle he was pacing back and forth. I started to get a little concerned, between this dude and the shuffling people going by his house. And I have a pocket full for money
He wanted to $800 for the rear end, even though I really wanted to get out of there and he knew I drove a great distance. I had to negotiate the price. Which was pretty easy, ended up getting the rear end, new shock mounts, and two rusty sets of 11” drum brakes for $720. I thanked him as we loaded up and I got out of there. At the corner of his street, where I stopped to turn on the main road a person stepped out from a semi hidden area. He took a few steps toward me and quickly realized I was not a customer and returned to his spot.
Happy, relieved and excited to get out of there with what I felt was a good deal on a rear end. Next stop the highly respected rear end shop in my area.
Next phase rebuilding the craigslist rear end