Lincoln Versailles Rearend ?

Do any of you guys have a problem with the versialles rear not being centered with the car? Mine is wider on the drivers side by about 3/8-1/2", and that's enough to make the tire rub. I have spoken with others about this and they have had the same problem. I'm thinking maybe the perches aren't centered on the housing for some reason. My car isn't bent, and the 8" rearend was centered up just fine. I ended up rolling the fender on the drivers side, which cracked the paint on the fender lip. Hindsight being 20/20, I maybe should have just got a new 8" pumpkin.

Another thing, its good idea to cut off the stock versailles perches and weld on some new ones. To use the stock ones, you need to use all the stock mounting hardware-rubber cushions, cast iron wedge looking piece(?), u-bolt plate, and the bracket that goes on over the cushions. Versailles' had staggered shocks, so one u-bolt plate won't do you any good anyway unless you stagger the shocks. The 8" plates won't work with the versialles u-bolt pattern, its wider and longer, putting the holes on the very extreme corner of the 8" plates. Even with all that trouble, I still had to add shims to get my pinion angle right. If you use the stock perches and none of the other stuff, you will find the pinion angle is way off, probably about 18-20 degrees negative.

Moral of the story-use new perches, maybe you won't have to go thru what I did. It will also allow you to center them on the housing. The best way to check them is to do a diagonal. Run a tape measure from d.s. perch to p.s. rotor and vice versa.

You will not have to cut the rear end to make it fit. The housing for a Versailles is exactly the same width as the 66 Mustang. They put longer axles on the car to work with their crappy brakes. You can pitch the brakes because they are worthless and heavy, buy new 31 spline axles in the shorter length, add some brakes (Explorer?), and you have a very nice setup that fits. One word of caution the strong Versailles housing comes at a price. This is one of the heaviest housings out there. I put a Versailles in my 66 and it is exactly 3/4" longer (3/8" on each side). I am getting rid of my Versailles because of the weight. Here is a web site that displays a bunch of research one guy did. It is a great reference that I am using in my search.

I don't see why the brakes sometimes get a bad reputation. They are exactly the same design as the ever popular granada swap for front disks. Its a sliding caliper, just like the majority of OEM brakes today. I've had to use my brakes real hard on several occasions, the versailles will not disappoint, on a street car that is. If you road race seriuosly, then sure there are better systems available. But for the weekend warrior, the versailles setup is more than adequate-and its reliable, with somewhat readily available parts. If you use some hi-dollar Baer/Wilwood/SSBC kit, you have to special order everything. You can get versailles parts at quite a few parts stores still.

302 coupe said:

I don't see why the brakes sometimes get a bad reputation. They are exactly the same design as the ever popular granada swap for front disks. Its a sliding caliper, just like the majority of OEM brakes today. I've had to use my brakes real hard on several occasions, the versailles will not disappoint, on a street car that is. If you road race seriuosly, then sure there are better systems available. But for the weekend warrior, the versailles setup is more than adequate-and its reliable, with somewhat readily available parts. If you use some hi-dollar Baer/Wilwood/SSBC kit, you have to special order everything. You can get versailles parts at quite a few parts stores still.

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I agree here, I had one in a 427 powered 67 fastback with manual discs and they would haul the car down from 140 mph without a problem. Never skidded them either, and this was with the drum brake proportioning valve that came with the car. I think efi66r331 sounds like someone who's a perfectionist and just always has to have THE BEST of everything when everyday low buck parts will work fine in 99% of applications. If he's so dis-satisfied with the versailles rear he has, then there's lots of guys here that will gladly take it off his hands for the right price.

i shoved one in my falcon its a very tight fit, had centerline make me custom ofset rims for it i have about 1/4 clearance from tire to wheel well, but take into consideration a falcon is narower than a mustang. the parts for the brakes are high but not unreasonable, on a good price schedule from napa the caliper rebuilds are $20 each but are just the rubbers and the disks are $55 each.

Originally Posted by D.Hearne
I think efi66r331 sounds like someone who's a perfectionist and just always has to have THE BEST of everything when everyday low buck parts will work fine in 99% of applications

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I always love it when people assume something and put words in your mouth. Versailles brakes are inefficient and very heavy.

Yes you are right, there are people that will give good money for them. I was able to sell them and purchase an "off the shelf" Explorer brake setup that is much more efficient and a lot less weight, and I put a few bucks in my pocket. Some of the Explorer brakes use the same big bearing bolt pattern that are used on the Versailles housing. The Explorer brakes are the same brakes that are used on the late model Mustang Cobra. Light, efficient, no brainer. Btw, the Versailles parts are getting harder to find and quite expensive.

Hard to find? Not likely, you just have to look at your friendly neighborhood parts house. Advance Auto Parts lists them. Rotors are $55, not hardly what you'd call expensive, the ones for my 95 E150 van list for over $100. You can't tell me the Explorer ones are more efficient, the rotors are the same size. If you still aren't happy with your Versailles, like I said before, there's lots of guys here that will take it off your hands.

I have 2 Versailles rearends and the only thing that efi66r331 said that I actually agree with is the weight issue....they are a little heavy, but they were designed for a heavier car than the Mustang and when used in conjunction with Granada front brakes, while not the most technologically advanced setup, will stop the car great.

The Explorer brakes are non-vented rotors and I don't particullarly like the little drum e-brake even though it might be a little easier to hook up than the Versaiiles....leave it on while driving and you can make the rotor fun to get off.

What are you guys using for leaf spring shock mounts didn't get any when I bought my rear end.