Converting 68 Valiant Rear to use 15" wheels
I shortened an 8.8 housing long end and will put this rear under my kids car. I plan on putting it all back together this winter. I will have about $500 in it total with new bearings, clutches, brakes, extra short side axle, and includes its purchase price. I hunted until I found the gear ratio I wanted along with a limited slip, this way it would be minimal shim setup for pinion depth after replacing the bearings. The data tag on it was stamped 3L73 this means it's a 3.73 with a limited slip. Bearing and clutch kits are super inexpensive since I think the bearings, clutches, and seals are all the same as used in mustangs and 1/2 ton trucks, and Rangers, from 1979 till now. Also ford Fairmonts, Aerostars, Bronco ll s , and well anything ford sold that was RWD from the mid 70s on. I went this route on my sons car, because I could not find a complete 8&3/4 ready to go, and if I did, I'd want to convert to big bolt pattern, requiring an axle and brake change, then have to rebuild the center chunk anyways. The 8&3/4 I did put together for my 67 I did a piece from here, a piece from there etc to put what I wanted together. When the smoke cleared I am into an 8&3/4 A body with rear for $1700. Had I known about the exploder rear back then, I woulda done one of those explorer rears for my 67 too.
I shortened an 8.8 housing long end and will put this rear under my kids car. I plan on putting it all back together this winter. I will have about $500 in it total with new bearings, clutches, brakes, extra short side axle, and includes its purchase price. I hunted until I found the gear ratio I wanted along with a limited slip, this way it would be minimal shim setup for pinion depth after replacing the bearings. The data tag on it was stamped 3L73 this means it's a 3.73 with a limited slip. Bearing and clutch kits are super inexpensive since I think the bearings, clutches, and seals are all the same as used in mustangs and 1/2 ton trucks, and Rangers, from 1979 till now. Also ford Fairmonts, Aerostars, Bronco ll s , and well anything ford sold that was RWD from the mid 70s on. I went this route on my sons car, because I could not find a complete 8&3/4 ready to go, and if I did, I'd want to convert to big bolt pattern, requiring an axle and brake change, then have to rebuild the center chunk anyways. The 8&3/4 I did put together for my 67 I did a piece from here, a piece from there etc to put what I wanted together. When the smoke cleared I am into an 8&3/4 A body with rear for $1700. Had I known about the exploder rear back then, I woulda done one of those explorer rears for my 67 too.
