TC rear w/ drums

[Dtowncats]

I have a chance to buy an 86 TC rear w/ drums and 3.55s. What would be a good price for this and what modifications would I need to do to make it fit?

My plans for this summer are to bolt this rear up if I get it and then build my rear for a 5 lug conversion. I want to put in some Moser or Superior 5 lug axles and then a posi-unit. Once that is done I will put it back in my car and sell the TC rear.

What do you guys think? I may sound like a lot of work but I think I could learn a lot and I am really starting to dig deep into the mechanical side of cars. I just pulled a 351W from a Torino a couple of weeks ago and I want to tear that down this winter.

 

[trbkrb]

From what I know, the pre 87 TC rears are only 7.5 rears, not the better 8.8 rears found in the 87-88 TC. Make sure it is an 8.8 housing. Don't bother with it if it is not a 8.8 housing. Plus I think the 7.5 housings are not the same width as the Mustang housings.

 

[Dtowncats]

Isn't there an obvious difference in size between the 7.5 and the 8.8? I looked at it when we were picking up a Honda Odyssey but didn't get to see it up close. It looked like an 8.8.

So lets say it is an 8.8, could I make sure there is 3.55s in it by spinning the tire and watching somethiong rotate?

 

[jrichker]

The rear axle should have a tag on it that says something like 3LS55 for 3.55 or 3LS73 for 3.73 gears: the LS is limited slip, or traction lock in Mustang terms. The 8.8 has a different bolt pattern for the rear cover than the 7.5 does.

 

[trbkrb]

Yes, if the tag is missing, you can count the number of times the driveshaft or pinion turns for each complete turn of the wheel. Mark the driveshaft and turn the wheel one time. If the driveshaft turns 3-1/2 times is a 3.55 gear. And if the other wheel turns the same direction, it is a traction loc rear. If it turns the opposite direction, it is an open rear. And like jrichker said, they have different bolt patterns and different rear cover shapes.

 

[v8only]

if it's from an 86, it's def a 7.5 rear, don't waste your time. to the untrained eye, the two look rear close.